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Powerboat Racers saved by an Aquapac Waterproof Case
Added: (Tue Jun 11 2002)
Disaster struck on the second day of the Honda Formula Four Stroke powerboat race from Greenwich to Southend, when drivers Karl Jeffery and Nick Shipway were thrown from their boat, ‘Cougar R8’, into the treacherous water of the River Thames after colliding with a freak wave.
Both were rescued within minutes after managing to radio for help with their handheld VHF, which had been saved by its Aquapac waterproof case.
Says Karl Jeffery, driver:
“Although the sea state was very rough, I was pushing the boat hard. We then hit a freak wave when running at 75mph, hurling both the navigator and myself into the sea and drenching everything on board. Luckily, I had my VHF in an Aquapac case, not a drop of water got into it and I was able to radio for urgent assistance. Unfortunately my cell ‘phone was not in an Aquapac and got ruined”.
The race was the second of the Honda Formula Four Stroke Series (HFFS), of which Aquapac International Limited, the manufacturers of Aquapac cases, are a co-sponsor.
Following the accident, drivers are now requesting that Aquapac cases are made compulsory for all equipment in the next series of races. Echoing this point, Karl Jeffery said:
“I was so impressed with the performance of the Aquapac in these extreme conditions that in future races I will be using them to protect all of my equipment”.
The HFFS races take place over 5 weekends. On both days of this weekend, fans were treated to the spectacular sight of powerboats racing down the River Thames for the first time for twenty years.
The first day of racing saw the powerful 130hp and 225hp powerboats battling down the Thames from Tower Bridge over a forty mile stretch down to Southend on Sea. The race went smoothly and attracted quite a crowd from start to finish.
The close race resulted in a win in the 130hp class for ‘Rocela’ , driven by Gareth Ebeneezer and Phill Haynes, and in the 225hp class, the winners were ‘R2 Composites’ raced by Kevan Cozens and Don Haisman.
The second day of racing started with competitors not only having to compete with each other, but the bad weather meant drivers had to race whilst battling to overcome the rough sea as well.
The accident involving the ‘Cougar R8’ meant that the race was stopped short. When it finally resumed more disasters occurred, as rough water broke the throttle cable of a leading 130hp powerboat near the finish line.
Eventually it all came to a marvellous end when the winners of the 130hp class were announced as ‘King of Shaves’ James Sheppard and Neil Sinclair, and 225hp class winners as ‘R2 Composites’ again.
Race drivers, officials, and staff were each presented with a selection of Aquapac 100% Waterproof Cases to secure their phones, VHF radios and personal items from the extreme conditions faced when powerboating prior to the races.
End.
For all media enquiries please visit www.aquapac.biz or alternatively contact Holli Ng at holli@aquapac.biz.