VAAL DAM : Yacht capsizes and jet-ski crashes into wall

VAAL DAM – Saturday, 15th October, 2011. Yacht capsizes and in a separate incident jet-ski crashes into wall:At 14h01 (Saturday, 15 October) the NSRI Vaal Dam volunteer duty crew were activated following eye-witness reports of a yacht capsized near Groot Eiland on the Vaal Dam, approximately 7 miles from the NSRI rescue base, with 2 people onboard.NSRI Vaal Dam launched their rescue craft HARVEY'S FIBREGLASS and SKINRAY.Jake Manten, NSRI Vaal Dam duty coxswain, said that on arrival on-scene we found the 26 foot yacht SHALAUBRE capsized in the water and the 2 casualty crew, husband and wife Gary and Carol Mason, from Boksburg, East Rand, were taken onboard our rescue craft and they were found to be not injured.Jake said that a tow-line was rigged and the yacht was secured and righted and then towed by NSRI Vaal Dam back to the couples mooring at the Stillbay Yacht Club where once safely moored they required no further assistance.It is not known what caused the yacht to capsize but an investigation will be conducted.At sunset (Saturday, 15 October) NSRI Vaal Dam were activated following reports of a jet-ski crashed into a wall in front of the restaurant at Anchor Creek, 500 meters from the NSRI rescue base, and reports of two people injured.NSRI Vaal Dam launched their rescue craft HASSLES.Dirk Manten, NSRI Vaal Dam duty coxswain, said that on arrival on-scene a 22 year old female was treated for a suspected dislocated hip and a knee injury sustained when the jet-ski she was on drove into a wall. The skipper, a 23 year old male, was not injured. They are both believed to be from Four Ways in Johannesburg.An ER-24 ambulance was summoned to the scene and the female has been transported to a private hospital in Vereeniging in a stable but serious condition for further treatment.It is not known what caused the jet-ski to be driven into the wall but an investigation will be conducted.As standard procedure both of these incidents are reported to SAMSA (The South African Maritime Safety Authority) and in the case where the female was injured a report will be handed to the SA Police Services.UPDATE :This message was sent to Dick Manten, Vaal Dam station commander:Morning Dicky,Again thanks for your help on Saturday, very professional, quick ETC. I actually cannot say enough about NSRI, or thank you, your son and the rest of your team enough.I will send a more comprehensive mail to the relevant sailing mags extolling the merits of NSRI and will urge as much support as possible. From the moment of capsize(sideways) to the boat being back on the trailer was probably just over an hour.Carol, as we have since learnt has one broken and two cracked ribs plus plenty bruises. The boat has no major damage, Windex, cushions and ropes lost one sail on the deck lost and equip. from the cabin such as first aid kit fire extinguisher etc lost, the Navman ( bought from yourself) display, all in all we got away very lightly. Not sure if you were aware of a keelboat that was very helpfull 'Aquila' in the vicinity, I would like to trace the owner to thank him personally.Once again, Thanks,Gary Mason