DURBAN Saturday 16th June 2012.Durban volunteer sea rescue crew were called out at 14h16 following a request for assistance from the 10 meter Catamaran Auberge, with 2 men onboard because their motors had accidentally fouled in a shark net just off uShaka.Spirit of Svitzer and Megan II, and responded to the scene on flat sea conditions in a very light wind.On arrival we found the yacht with her motors well and truly fouled in the shark nets. The two yachtsmen were in no danger.Paul Bevis and Ashley St Clair Laing, were put into the water to cut the shark net free and they then used utility ropes to patch up the shark net which remains in place and in working order.The casualty yacht was taken under tow by Megan II and towed safely to Port. The operation was completed by 16h10.The Sharks Board have been informed and we believe that they will send a team to properly repair the net over the next few days.It appears that a combination of circumstances, including the afternoon glare of the sun on the water and flat sea conditions, contributed to the yacht wandering over the 'off-shore' shark net accidentally, after they had avoided the nearby 'in-shore' shark net.
