GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Three NSRI stations joined forces in an operation to assist a motor yacht that ran into difficulties near Witsand.
According to NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon, the NSRI Witsand duty crew was activated at 13:27 on Sunday, 26 July following a request for assistance from a 13m Trimaran motor yacht with four local male crew on board.
“They reported gearbox and rudder failure and required assistance 23 nautical miles off-shore of Witsand.”
Lambinon says the NSRI Witsand sea rescue craft Breede Rescuer was launched and on arrival all four crew were found to be safe. It was determined that arrangements would need to be made to get the casualty to Mossel Bay for repairs.
NSRI Still Bay and NSRI Mossel Bay duty crews were activated and NSRI Witsand rigged a towline and towed the stricken yacht towards Still Bay.
NSRI Still Bay launched the sea rescue craft Colorpress Rescuer and rendezvoused with NSRI Witsand and the casualty Trimaran, after which they took over the tow and towed her to Still Bay without incident.
NSRI Mossel Bay launched the sea rescue craft Rescue 15 and on arrival at Still Bay took over the tow. They arrived at Mossel Bay harbour at 03:00 on Monday morning, 27 July.
On arrival at Mossel Bay an NSRI rescue swimmer was transferred onto the yacht and Rescue 15 rafted alongside the casualty. Rescue 15 brought her into the harbour to the Vincent Jetty where additional NSRI shore crew were standing by and she was moored at Vincent Jetty and no further assistance was required.
The owner and crew of the casualty Trimaran will make repairs in Mossel Bay before continuing on her voyage to East London.
NSRI Emergency Operations Centre, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, NSRI Witsand, NSRI Still Bay and NSRI Mossel Bay duty controllers and Transnet National Ports Authority assisted Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in communications, coordination and logistics during the operation.
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