What happened to Frances Reincke during the 1979 Fastnet Race?

Frances Reincke was caught in a severe Force 10 storm, during which her yacht suffered significant damage and she was presumed drowned by her father after seeing a newspaper report.

Who rescued Frances Reincke and her crew?

An Irish lifeboat from the RNLI eventually towed Reincke's damaged yacht, Automony, to safety.

Why does Frances Reincke support the RNLI?

Reincke supports the RNLI because the charity rescued her and her crew during the 1979 Fastnet Race disaster, an event that deeply impacted her.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Sailed into Storm, Father Thought Daughter Drowned

Sailed into Storm, Father Thought Daughter Drowned

14 Mar

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Summary

A woman was presumed drowned after a 1979 sailing disaster.
Her father saw her listed as missing in a newspaper.
She now supports the RNLI, the charity that rescued her.

Sailed into Storm, Father Thought Daughter Drowned

In the 1979 Fastnet Race, Frances Reincke, aged 21, experienced a terrifying ordeal when a severe Force 10 storm struck. Her yacht, Automony, was caught in the tempest, suffering significant damage including its masthead fittings and rudder. Despite efforts to signal for help with a red flare, the yacht was eventually towed to safety by an Irish lifeboat.

Tragically, Reincke's father saw a newspaper report listing her vessel as missing, presumed drowned. This harrowing experience forged a lifelong connection to the RNLI for Reincke, who has since become a dedicated supporter and fundraising chair for the Haslemere and Hindhead branch. She is scheduled to speak at an upcoming RNLI event on March 26.

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