FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, March 19, 2007 15:00hrs
The “Earthrace in Barbados” event regrets to inform the public that the Earthrace vessel was involved in a collision at 12:30am with a Guatemalan fishing boat which has tragically resulted in the loss of one fisherman, who is presumed drowned and the serious injury to another fisherman. No injuries are reported from the Earthrace crew. Our deepest sympathies are extended to the families and friends of the fishing vessel. Earthrace is currently docked at a military compound in Puerto Quetza, Guatemala. No further statement can be made at this time until further details are confirmed from Earthrace. For more information when it becomes available, please check http://www.earthrace.net/index.php?section=46 .
Barbados Free Press 
What a crying tragedy, after all the problems they have overcome to get that far, still on schedule for a new world record.
I did not see any press release from them. How did you come by the news? The satellite mapping has showed them in port in Guatemala for over a day.
Earthrace includes BFP in it’s daily press release scehedule. We received it at about 3:15pm yesterday but didn’t notice it until a few hours later. George published it as is right away after he checked the email.
Clive
Google has updates, the latest being from Auckland dated 21st March. Even though the judge has accepted the fishing boat was without lights or radar, the captain Pete Bethune, is being held responsible.
The families of the drowned and injured men are claiming compensation, and it is possible Bethune will have to face a manslaughter charge. It could take six months for the wheels of justice to grind. The other possibility is that they will all be released on bond.
However the spaceage trimaran was damaged in the collision, and the extent of the damage has not yet been made public. Almost dertainly the attempt to break the world record is off. Tragic shame.