Table Bay Call:

Wednesday 27 August:Table Bay were called out at 18:21 for an overturned catamaran that was reported to be just on the other side of the Cape Town harbour breakwater wall with 2 people in the water and a couple of vessels trying to assist.Spirit of Vodacom and Rotary Endeavor were activated immediately and Paula Leech, Table Bay Station commander went to the breakwater wall but could see no craft in difficulty.After a few more phone calls it was established that the overturned vessel was in fact a hobie-cat and was closer to Milnerton ... behind a huge tanker and that the yacht Esperance was standing by alongside.Spirit of Vodacom launched at 19:00 and proceeded to the casualty with Rotary Endeavor 5 minutes behind. Esperance gave a position of 2.5NM NW of the breakwater and used a flashing torch to direct Spirit of Vodacom to their position.Spirit of Vodacom arrived on scene at approximately 19:10. There was one person on the upturned hull. After numerous attempts to right the water-laden hobie in strong winds, a decision was made to tow her back to the V&A as she was (upside down).A light tow line was rigged and Spirit of Vodacom towed the hobie back to port. The wind was strong and the hobie's rigging and sail was still attached, making the going slow. Spirit of Vodacom proceeded back to base at 2.5knots. On arrival back at the V&A waterfront at 23:05, the upturned hobie was put alongside Jetty 2 in front of the Table Bay hotel. Picture Robyn Silverstone.