CAPE TOWN – The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in Simon’s Town successfully re-floated and secured an unmanned sailing yacht that had broken free from its moorings during strong winds on Monday afternoon.

According to NSRI station commander Darren Zimmerman crews were alerted after urgent reports that the 50-foot vessel was adrift in Simon’s Town under gusty conditions of up to 40 knots.

Coordination was immediately established with the False Bay Yacht Club (FBYC) and the yacht’s management through the NSRI Emergency Operations Centre.

By the time rescuers arrived the yacht had run aground along Long Beach. Fortunately no-one was on board when it broke loose.

With a spring high tide approaching, within the hour a joint decision was made to attempt a refloat operation.

The NSRI launched its rescue craft, Donna Nicholas, while rescue swimmers were deployed from shore to secure a towline to the stranded vessel.

As the tide reached its peak crews carefully tightened the towline, allowing the rescue craft to gently pull the yacht off a shallow ledge. The vessel was successfully re-floated without sustaining damage.

NSRI swimmers remained on board to assist with navigation as the yacht was towed to deeper water and safely re-moored at FBYC’s emergency moorings.

Despite challenging weather conditions the operation concluded without incident at 19:34.

Zimmerman praised the coordinated effort, highlighting that the swift response and timing of the rising tide were critical in preventing the vessel from sustaining damage or being driven onto nearby rocks

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