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Aerial View wing of Nimrod aircraft
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MV INT. flight deck of Nimrod (2 shots)
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Aerial View Gipsy Moth V
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MV INT. RAF crewman signalling Gipsy Moth
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Aerial View Gypsy Moth signalling Nimrod
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Aerial View French weather ship
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Aerial View Gipsy Moth
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Aerial View from inside aircraft cockpit of Gipsy Moth and French weather ship
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Aerial View motor launch approaching Gipsy Moth
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Aerial View French weather ship steaming away and Gipsy Moth in foreground
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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In the Atlantic, a French weather ship arrived at the aid of Britain's veteran yachtsman Sir Francis Chichester on Friday (30 June) after he signalled that he was ill.

The dramatic rendezvous began on Thursday when Sir Francis flashed a message to a Royal Air Force Nimrod aircraft, saying "I am weak and cold."
However, when a launch from the French ship pulled along side Sir Francis's Ketch, Gipsy Moth V, the 70-year-old yachtsman refused help and indicated he would sail back to England unaided.

An RAF Nimrod with newsman aboard watched Friday's rescue attempt from the air.

Sir Francis, who in 1966-67 sailed around the world alone, had been taking part in the single-handed transatlantic yacht race until his ill health forced him to retire.

He had been ill before the race started on 17 June and took part against medical advice.

It was later reported that a Royal Navy frigate with Sir Francis's son and a doctor aboard planned to rendezvous with the Gipsy Moth. But young Chichester said he had no intention of persuading his father to leave his yacht.