Mechanical failure sends UBC Sailbot off course

A mechanical failure has driven a self-sailing boat developed by UBC students off course and adrift far from shore, reports CBC Newfoundland.

The five-metre autonomous boat was making great progress in its solo Atlantic voyage until high winds damaged the rudder and left it unable to turn, according to the students.

Before the mechanical failure, the boat had made it more than a quarter of the way across to its goal of docking in Ireland.