Sam Coltman and Kelda Smith were 350 miles off the Azores around 2,200 miles into their journey from St Martin in the Caribbean
Kirstie McCrum and Filipa Gaspar, SWNS
19:05, 27 May 2026
Sam and Kelda were 25 days into their voyage when the incident happened
A Cornish couple who were three years into an epic ocean voyage have found themselves stranded in the Atlantic after fierce winds destroyed their boat’s mast. Sam Coltman, 32, and Kelda Smith, 31, were 350 miles off the Azores, Portugal, when the mast on their vessel, Tonks, came down on May 26.
The pair were 25 days and approximately 2,200 miles into their passage from St Martin in the Caribbean to the Azores. The couple were making their way back to Falmouth, following three years of sailing around Europe, the Caribbean and the east coast of the United States.
The voyage had already been beset by difficulties, with engine failure caused by a broken water pump earlier in the trip, with the couple planning to source replacement parts upon reaching land. Friends have since launched a fundraiser to help cover the costs of recovery and repairs.
The sailing couple’s friend Alessa is also on board the struggling ship
Speaking while en route to shore in Horta, Azores, Sam recalled the moment he discovered the mast had come down.
He said: “I hadn’t been awake that long so I didn’t believe it. I was in shock and thought ‘what are we going to do now?’
“This boat is our home – we have lived on board for six years. And we have built from scratch and she means a lot for us.
“We are just making our way forwards trying to to spiral and trying not to think too far ahead.”
He added: “We can’t wait to get ashore it will be nice to go ashore and drink a cold beer.”
‘Tonks’ was moving towards the final leg of its journey back to Cornwall.
The fundraiser has so far raised just over £7,000 of its £12,000 target.
Jasper Troje Tuck, a close friend of the couple who launched the fundraiser, explained: “We’re raising funds for our good friends Sam and Kelda, who were dismasted in strong winds 350 miles off the Azores, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on the morning of 26th May. They are now without a rig or functioning engine and have a way to go until they reach safety.”
The couple, who are also sailing alongside their friend Alessa Decker, acquired their vessel six years ago after discovering it in a field in north Devon. They spent 18 months painstakingly restoring it on the riverbank in Penryn.
For the past six years, the boat has served as their home and “all they have”, having voyaged around the world over the past three months. Despite the ordeal, Sam and Kelda remain unharmed, with Jasper noting they “acted quickly and calmly” in response to the crisis.
He continued: “They have managed to set up a jury rig using their storm jib and are currently making slow progress at around 2 knots. Thankfully, everyone onboard is safe, though understandably shaken.
Sam Coltman and Kelda Smith , pictured in happier times, are stranded in the Atlantic
“Emergency services have been informed and are aware of their situation. We’re in communication and are hoping to coordinate assistance.”
Jasper spoke warmly of the couple, describing them as seasoned sailors and cherished friends.
He said: “We have known Sam and Kelda for over 10 years, and they are two of the warmest, kindest, and most resourceful people we know. They are highly experienced sailors and tradespeople – Sam is a skilled engineer and Kelda a talented craftswoman and boat finisher.
“They still have a long way to go before reaching land, and the costs ahead will be significant: recovering from the dismasting, replacing essential equipment, repairing the boat, and ultimately getting Tonks safely home to Cornwall.”
Those wishing to follow the crew’s progress homeward can do so at share.garmin.com/SVtonks
To contribute to their cause, visit their GoFundMe page here.