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Jones watches Queen Mary 2 rescue yachtsman in the mid-Atlantic

YACHT

ABOARD THE QUEEN MARY 2 — Originally my StarNews assignment for the Queen Mary 2 westbound transatlantic crossing in June was ascertaining myriad reasons why passengers book such voyages. Never imagined: Let’s go witness a mid-North Atlantic rescue.

Yet, on June 10, diverted from our track from Southampton, England, we plucked a yachtsman from his disabled 30-foot sailboat in stormy seas — a dramatic, once-in-a-lifetime story.

Excitement exploded as the ship masterfully created a lee for both yacht and rescue boat as a Canadian C-130 Hercules circled.

My companion, Ann LaReau, watched through a lounge window as masts clashed uncontrolled against our hull. I hustled to the port side of Deck 7 with others and saw him hoisted aboard.

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