A SAILOR from the region was one of 16 crew members rescued after a yacht struck rocks in Indonesian waters during a round-the-world race.

Sarah Bell, from Ripon, North Yorkshire, was on board the Cork clipper when it was holed, in high winds, near the island of Gosong Mampango, in the Java Sea, 200 miles north east of Jakarta, on Wednesday.

The stranded sailors abandoned the stricken boat in life rafts and headed for nearby rocks.

They then waited to be picked up by crews from two fellow racing yachts –the California clipper and Team Finland.

All 16 were safely evacuated to the neighbouring yachts.

Their next of kin have been informed.

Ms Bell, a part-time horticulturalist, joined the crew of the Cork in Australia over Christmas.

She was due to complete two legs of the race, calling at checkpoints in Qingdao, China, and San Francisco.

On her application form for the race, the 43-year-old wrote: “I have a desire to leave my comfort zone.

“I expect my adventure to be arduous and at times uncompromising.

Life is too short – do it or regret it!”

The Northern Echo was unable to reach Ms Bell’s family, in Ripon, for comment yesterday.

The 68ft Cork Clipper was taking part in the 35,000-mile Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

The yacht, the Irish entry for the race, was skippered by Richie Fearon, 29, from Derry, Northern Ireland.

It was left on its side after hitting rocks.

The race started from Hull on September 13 and will finish there on July 17 after visiting 14 ports on five continents.

The 16 crew on the Cork Clipper included nine Britons, five Irish people, one Australian and one Chinese national.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, chairman of the race organisers, Clipper Ventures, said: “Our priority has been the safety of the crew and we have confirmation that all on board have evacuated and are now safe.

“Their welfare is our prime concern at this time.”

Falmouth Coastguard, in Cornwall, is monitoring the situation with international agencies.

A spokeswoman said: “The crew had a lucky escape.

“You don’t abandon ship unless you have to.”