Boat capsize in Gansbaai and yacht assisted in Plett

Gansbaai:At 14h00, Tuesday, 29th July, NSRI Hermanus crew were activated following reports of a boat capsized off Franskraal (near Gansbaai) and two people reportedly in the surf.We towed our sea rescue craft LE JENMAR II and responded and the SA Police Services, WC Government Health EMS and Overstrand Medical Response responded.On arrival we found both men, a 61 year old male from De Kelder and a 29 year old male from Gansbaai, were safely out of the water and their small 3 meter open fishing boat was capsized in the wave line.Both men were treated for hypothermia and transported to hospital by EMS ambulance in stable conditions.It appears that they were capsized by a wave about 300 meters off-shore and had been in the water for some time before managing to reach shore.NSRI Hermanus volunteers waded into the surf and recovered their boat.Plettenberg Bay:At 09h00, Tuesday, 29th July, NSRI Plettenberg Bay crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority following a request for assistance from the fishing trawler EBAYI reporting to have come across a sailing yacht firing red distress flares 52 nautical miles off-shore of Robberg Point, Plettenberg Bay.EBAYI had stopped to assist two Frenchmen, aged in their late 40’s, on the yacht IRIS who appear to have damaged sails and a damaged motor and they requested assistance and EBAYI raised the alarm while taking them under tow.Our sea rescue craft LEONARD SMITH rendezvoused with the rescue effort 48 nautical miles off-shore and took over the tow of IRIS from EBAYI (EBAYI have continued fishing).The yacht IRIS has been towed by our sea rescue craft safely to moorings in Plettenberg Bay arriving at 18h20.It appears that the two men had departed from Mossel Bay 9 days ago.Once moored no further assistance was required and the two men will arrange repairs to their yacht.