VIDEO: Camper seconds away from high speed collision with a whale in mid-Atlantic
Its not often we see a video like this in the Yachting World office. Look at this amazing footage of Volvo Ocean Race competitor CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand avoiding a collision with a whale as they sail through the North Atlantic Ocean in over 20 knots of boat speed on day 9 of Leg 7 from Miami, USA to Lisbon, Portugal.
The split-second reflexes of CAMPER helmsman Roberto ‘Chuny’ Bermúdez narrowly saved the team from a high-speed collision with a whale in the middle of the Atlantic on Tuesday.
White water was breaking over the red boat’s bow as the team hurtled at speeds in excess of 20 knots when Bermúdez’s keen eye caught a grey glimpse of the mammal off the bow.
Without a second thought Bermúdez swung the wheel and dodged the whale, avoiding a collision that could have proved costly for the boat and crew.
“With reflexes like a cat he narrowly missed what could have been the equivalent of a runaway freight train colliding with a truck,” Media Crew Member Hamish Hooper said.
“We were doing just over 20 knots and all of a sudden the boat lurched to starboard, just staying in control.
“Nico (skipper Chris Nicholson) popped his head up to see Chuny looking as if he has just seen his life flash before his eyes. I think he had. It would have been seriously bad for both the whale and us.”