MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Station 15 in Mossel Bay sold tickets for someone to win a trip on a cruise on the Luna Moon, a historic yacht that has been docked in the Mossel Bay harbour.
The Luna Moon, a top sail gaff rig schooner, Captained by David Bird, kindly sponsored a sunset cruise for six guests valued at R3 000. Eugene Camara of Mossel Bay won the prize.
The raffle was held to raise funds to buy a Jetrib rescue vessel for the station.
On Saturday, 17 June, while the draw was taking place for the Luna Moon competition, Station 15 received a call about 11 people stranded on a fishing vessel. The propellor was fouled with rope and the vessel was drifting into the deep sea.
Just past 10:00, the crew of Station 15 set to sea to assist the crew.
Due to the treacherous conditions, the divers could not free the ropes from the propellors and it was decided to tow the vessel towards Mossel Bay until a larger vessel could tow it back to Mossel Bay harbour.
The NSRI vessel, half the size and tonnage of the fishing vessel, struggled through the walls of waves, pulled from one side to the other, but managed to bring it closer to Mossel Bay, where the tow was handed over to the other vessel that brought it safely home.
The exhausted NSRI crew finally got back to the station at 18:14, after eight hours of fearlessly fighting the strong south-westerly wind.
Well done to all the NSRI crew involved.
It is kind gestures such as the Luna Moon raffle and the continuous support of the Mossel Bay community, that the NSRI has survived over the past 50 years. When you read our station’s Golden Jubilee book, you see this heart-warming thread running through the book.
If you wish to read more of our station and similar untold stories of the past, please consider getting our station's Golden Jubilee book by contacting André Fraser (082 990 5472).
Thank you for your continued support of Station 15 Mossel Bay.
In the case of any sea-related emergency, please contact our 24/7 manned number (082 990 5954).
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