NSRI's ongoing assistance with Cape2Rio yachts

MYKONOS:On Tuesday the 7th of January NSRI Mykonos launched their sea rescue craft to rendezvous with the yacht AVA off Saldanha Bay. A tow line was rigged and the yacht and her crew were brought safely into Port at Saldanha Bay under the tow.The two crew who had minor injuries were assisted by NSRI paramedics and are safe and well. Tuesday the 7th of January, NSRI Table Bay launched sea rescue craft to rendezvous with the yacht ISLA that was under the tow of SMIT MADURA. NSRI Table Bay took over the tow bringing the yacht safely into Table Bay Port.SMIT MADURA are commended for the rescue mission they successfully carried out on yacht ISLA. HOUT BAY:NSRI Hout Bay will launch their sea rescue craft later today, 8th of January, to rendezvous with the bulk carrier JS YANGTSE, off Mouille Point, to take 2 French crew members off. They abandoned their yacht IDEFIX 2 at sea and they will be brought into the Port of Table Bay.The Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Customs and Immigration officials as well as the French Consulate will all be on hand to receive the two French IDEFIX 2 survivors.IDEFIX 2, not part of the Cape to Rio race, was caught up in the same storm as the Cape to Rio yachts and landed up being adrift at sea, unable to sail or motor, some 216 nautical miles off Cape Town.The bulk carrier JS YANGTSE, the nearest ship at the time, agreed to rendezvous with IDEFIX 2 on the request of MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) but by the time she arrived at the coordinates IDEFIX 2 had drifted away and could not be found or raised by phone or radio.JS YANGTSE started an increasing box search plotted by MRCC but after finding nothing, she was released from the search by MRCC. MRCC Reunion then established contact with the yacht and JS YANGTSE eventually found IDEFIX 2 and rescued the 2 French sailors.The Captain and crew of JS YANGTSE are commended for their efforts.Update:NSRI Hout Bay launched their rescue craft Nadine Gordimer yesterday afternoon, the 8th of January, and rendezvoused with the JS Yangtse at 16:00. The two french yachtsmen were taken aboard the Sea Rescue vessel and were then taken back to the V&A Waterfront.NSRI CEO Dr. Cleeve Robertson has commended all who took part in the major rescue operation on the South West Atlantic Ocean over the past few days.