THE Hull and Humber crew may have to spend Christmas Day at sea after a dramatic collision.

The amateur yachters said they thought the boat was going to sink when it was hit by the Cork, Ireland Clipper as they left Cape Town, South Africa, for leg three of the Clipper 09-10 Round The World Yacht Race.

It is thought a gust of wind threw Cork into the path of the Hull and Humber.

The Hull and Humber had right of way and Cork was trying to steer round them at the time.

Several crew members were thrown onto the deck as the front of Cork ripped into the side of the boat.

The Hull and Humber began to take on water and they had to make a fraught dash back to harbour.

Both boats now face extensive repairs, which could take up to 10 days to complete.

It means they will be out of the running for the third leg – and it could affect their position in the overall global race, in which they are third out of 10.

The yachts will now have to sail to Western Australia knowing they will only be awarded an average point score – at best – for the journey. They had been due to arrive in Australia on December 16, but may now spend Christmas in the Indian Ocean, depending on how long the repairs take.

The youngest crew members Adam Elliott and Alex O'Connell, both 18, of east Hull, had been due to fly back into England on Christmas Eve.

The crash happened on crew member Della Parsons' 43rd birthday.

Della, a BBC production editor, said: "To be honest, we are gutted and fed up, but we are trying to lift ourselves out of that. We are already talking about what if we have Christmas Day at sea. It will be right at the end of the journey so there would be no fresh food left, but I am sure we will stash away some goodies for the day and there will be presents and crackers.

"We just feel for our family and friends who are flying out to Australia."

The Hull and Humber crew must ensure they reach Australia in time for January 3, when leg four to Singapore begins.

It is the second run of bad luck for the crew, after Arthur Bowers, 51, of Bransholme, had to be rescued by fellow crew members when he fell overboard.

Speaking about the collision, Mr Bowers said: "It all happened so quickly. I thought we were going to go down, but we kept the boat above the waterline and got everybody onto starboard."

Hull and Humber skipper Piers Dudin said: "We should be out there bashing round the Cape Of Good Hope, but instead we're waking up in the calm waters of the Royal Cape Yacht Club.

"It's a massive disappointment for us, but there's absolutely no hard feeling towards Cork. They did their best to avoid us, but the wind gods had other ideas."