Almost within sight of the finish to Pete Goss’ historic voyage from Cornwall to Australia, his vessel has suffered a knockdown and one of his crew a broken leg.

The incident occurred at about 23.30 hours GMT on Tuesday (3 March – 0930 hours boat time Wednesday 4th March).

Spirit of Mystery, Goss’ replica Mounts Bay Lugger, was sailing in strong winds and high seas about 300 NM off Kangaroo Island, near Adelaide, South Australia, when she was struck by a large wave.

The vessel was knocked over and one of the crew, Mark Maidment, broke his right leg between knee and ankle. He was taken below and given morphine and had his leg put a splint. He is reportedly in a stable condition on board and in good spirits.

The crew, which is following in the wake of 7 Cornishmen who sailed the same route in 1854 to join in the Australian Gold Rush, was able to contact their support team in Melbourne via the satellite telephone who alerted the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

The vessel is expected to be off Canberra at about 1100 hours Canberra time, on Thursday, and a helicopter will then fly out to airlift the injured crew member.

Spirit of Mystery suffered no damage in the knockdown and will continue its voyage to Melbourne when Maidment has been airlifted to hospital.