A resident of Rooi Els has been lauded for vigilance, after their alert to the National Sea Rescue Institute’s (NSRI) Gordon’s Bay station led to a yachting couple being brought safely to land.
According to Ryan Holmes, NSRI Gordon’s Bay station commander, the resident raised the alarm of a sailing yacht appearing to be struggling in strong winds at 15:52 on Friday (25 May).
“NSRI Emergency Operations Centre and NSRI Gordon’s Bay duty controllers monitored the yacht’s progress while our NSRI crew readied themselves to prepare to respond,” he recalled.
“The NSRI was able to gain contact with the sailing yacht crew, a French couple, who reported motor-mechanical problems, but making headway despite the strong winds. NSRI Simons Town was placed on alert.”
The NSRI Gordon’s Bay rescue craft Spirit of Surfski 5 was launched and, after reaching the sailing yacht, managed to travel alongside the vessel offshore of the Steenbras River mouth.
“Strong winds made the operation particularly challenging. NSRI Gordon’s Bay crew have been commended for taking advantage of their repetitive training skills to execute this maritime operation in these challenging conditions,” Holmes added.
“Our NSRI rescue craft escorted the yacht closer towards Gordon’s Bay, where, outside the harbour, an NSRI rescue swimmer was transferred onto the yacht to assist the yacht crew.”
The NSRI rescue craft continued to drift alongside the sailing yacht and assisted it to a berth in Gordon’s Bay Harbour without incident. No further assistance was required. “The vigilance of the resident of Rooi Els who raised the alarm is commended,” Holmes concluded.
