 Credit: Channel 5 13 An unforeseen 'weather bomb' caused a violent storm during the race in 1979, and the biggest peacetime rescue operation the UK had ever seen was launched Credit: Getty The unforeseen 'weather bomb', which hit the 605-mile race in August 1979, caused waves of over 40ft which crashed over decks, broke masts, capsized boats and shredded life rafts. As 240 yachts were caught in the eye of the fatal storm , the biggest peacetime rescue operation the UK had ever seen was launched, with lifeboats, ships, RAF helicopters and Nimrod aircraft plucking survivors and bodies from the sea. Over half a decade on, the tragedy that changed yacht racing forever is revisited in Killer Storm: The Fastnet Disaster, which airs tonight on Channel 5. In an emotional interview Jon, who was part of an eight man crew from Guernsey on his dad's yacht Cavale, recalls the terror he felt as the vessel was tossed about in force 10 gales. 'It's just an absolute helter skelter ride,' he says. 'Mad, mad ride. We've never seen anything like it. It's dark outside, but it's a white out. So spray everywhere. The noise - incredible. 'The boat's been thrown around all over the place. At one point it's like explosions hit the boat.' Tragically, when dad Peter went overboard with another crew member, conditions were so terrible the skipper was unable to turn the boat around to search for him - and had to break the news to the terrified teen. Glassy-eyed, Jon adds: 'I haven't really told the story to so many people, it's difficult to tell. 13 Jon Dorey lost his dad Peter (pictured){kind=link}
SETTING out from Cowes among a magnificent fleet of 303 sailing boats, 17-year-old Jon Dorey was excited to be competing in the prestigious Fastnet Race for the first time.
But just three days later he was battling for his life as a terrifying storm hit, destroying yachts and claiming 21 lives – including his dad Peter’s.
The unforeseen ‘weather bomb’, which hit the 605-mile race in August 1979, caused waves of over 40ft which crashed over decks, broke masts, capsized boats and shredded life rafts.
As 240 yachts were caught in the eye of the fatal storm, the biggest peacetime rescue operation the UK had ever seen was launched, with lifeboats, ships, RAF helicopters and Nimrod aircraft plucking survivors and bodies from the sea.
Over half a decade on, the tragedy that changed yacht racing forever is revisited in Killer Storm: The Fastnet Disaster, which airs tonight on Channel 5.