Accident at Royal Langkawi International Regatta: 72-Year-Old Crew Member Injured
A 72-year-old participant of the 2025 Royal Langkawi International Regatta (RLIR) was injured when her team’s boat capsized during a race at about 11 am today.
The Incident
Karen Rowlands, a crew member of team Boreas that is competing in the Multihull class, suffered injuries to her head, right shoulder, and right thigh and was taken to the Sultanah Maliha Hospital here. Rowlands, when met at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club (RLYC), said the incident occurred so suddenly due to strong winds, causing the boat, skippered by John Hearne of Australia and with four other crew members on board, to capsize.
Rowlands’ Account
"I was on the left side of the ship before I was sent sliding to the right side and plunging into the sea… I banged my head against the ship… when I tried to swim to get out from underneath it, I couldn’t feel my right shoulder. That’s when the other crew members picked me up and put me on the jetski," she said.
Aftermath
She added that she was taken to the RLYC where she was treated by a Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) personnel before being brought to hospital.
RLYC’s Response
Meanwhile, RLYC executive director Azlan Abdullah said he was informed of the incident by other crew members and he contacted the APM for assistance. "Only one crew member was injured and taken to hospital. The other crew members are still at the location and trying to turn the boat over. It will be towed back to the RLYC for us to assess the damage. If it’s a minor damage, we will try to repair it so that they can continue to race on the final day tomorrow. Otherwise, it’s the end of the road for them in this year’s edition of the RLIR," he said.
Conclusion
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures and precautions during water sports events. The Royal Langkawi International Regatta is a prestigious event that attracts sailors from around the world, and it is essential that all participants take necessary steps to ensure their safety and well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened during the incident?
A: The team’s boat capsized due to strong winds, causing the crew member to suffer injuries.
Q: How many crew members were on board the boat?
A: There were five crew members on board, including the skipper.
Q: What is the condition of the injured crew member?
A: The crew member, Karen Rowlands, suffered injuries to her head, right shoulder, and right thigh and was taken to the hospital.
Q: Will the team continue to participate in the regatta?
A: The team’s participation in the regatta is dependent on the extent of the damage to their boat. If the damage is minor, they may be able to continue racing.