Volvo Ocean Race Team Scallywag Suffers Tragic Loss as Crew Member Washed Overboard

Team Scallywag, racing a Volvo Ocean 65, experienced a fatal man overboard incident in the remote South Pacific on March 26. British crew member John Fisher was swept overboard as the boat encountered a building gale. Despite an immediate and determined search by his teammates, Fisher could not be recovered.

The team searched for several hours in extremely difficult conditions, but the combination of cold water, severe sea state and elapsed time made recovery impossible. “Given the cold water temperatures and the extreme sea state, along with the time that has now passed since he went overboard, we must now presume that John has been lost at sea,” said Richard Brisius, President of the Volvo Ocean Race, on March 27.

The incident occurred approximately 1,400 miles west of Cape Horn, Chile, while Team Scallywag was sailing deep in the South Pacific. At the time, the boat was roughly 200 miles upwind and behind the rest of the fleet. That remote position and the distance from other race vessels hampered rescue efforts and complicated coordination with external search and rescue assets.

Race officials and Team Scallywag immediately coordinated with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC). The MRCC located a commercial ship and diverted it toward the incident location, but the vessel remained over a day away, limiting the options for a timely recovery. The team and race organizers continued search measures as long as conditions allowed.

Fisher, 47, was participating in his first Volvo Ocean Race but brought years of big-boat and open-ocean experience to the campaign. He was widely respected by his peers. “Despite the dangers of the sport, he loved sailing. He is one of our own, a long-standing member of the team. He is a great and experienced sailor, the finest human being and a true Scallywag,” said Lee Seng Huang, owner of Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag, in a statement posted to the team’s social media.

The loss of a crewmember at sea is a devastating event for any racing team and for the broader offshore sailing community. Man overboard incidents in high-latitude, open-ocean settings present particular challenges: extreme weather, very low water temperatures, high waves and the vast distances that separate racing yachts from commercial vessels and rescue resources all reduce the likelihood of a successful recovery as time passes.

In such circumstances, sailors and race organizers follow established emergency procedures and liaise urgently with national and international rescue authorities. The Volvo Ocean Race maintains communications and contingency plans to support crews in remote areas, and teams train regularly for safety scenarios. Still, the combination of events on March 26 made a successful rescue impossible.

The immediate focus after an incident is search and rescue, followed by supporting the crew and the family and friends of the person lost. The sailing community often rallies to offer condolences and practical support in the aftermath of such tragedies. Race organizers typically provide counseling and debriefing for teammates and shore staff, while also conducting investigations and reviews to understand the event and reinforce safety practices where possible.

This tragic event underscores the inherent risks associated with long-distance offshore yacht racing, where crews accept significant hazards while pursuing speed and endurance around the globe. The memory of John Fisher will remain with his teammates, friends and the wider community who knew him as an experienced sailor and a passionate participant in the sport.

Officials from the Volvo Ocean Race and Team Scallywag have expressed their sorrow and are coordinating further communications with Fisher’s family. The incident is a sober reminder of the importance of safety preparation, rapid coordination with rescue authorities, and the courage of those who take part in the world’s most demanding ocean races.