Following the collision between Vestas 11th Hour Racing and a non-racing vessel in the final stages of the racing leg in Hong Kong waters, the organisers of the Volvo Ocean Race have commissioned an independent report into ocean racing at night in areas of high vessel traffic density, to establish what steps race organisers may take to mitigate risk going forward.
The collision occurred between the boat Vestas 11th Hour Racing and a fishing vessel, on 20 January 2018, around 30 miles from the Leg 4 finish line in Hong Kong, resulting in the death of one fisherman. He had been recovered from the water and taken on board Vestas 11th Hour Racing and was transferred by helicopter to a hospital in Hong Kong where medical staff were unable to revive him.
