NSRI Hout Bay assists Russian solo sailor

Pic: Steve SearleAt 13h34, Thursday, 16th October, NSRI Hout Bay volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority following reports of a yacht at risk of being swept onto rocks at Chapman's Peak Point.Our NSRI Hout Bay volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched our sea rescue craft ALBIE MATTHEWS and NADINE GORDIMER and responded.A 56 year old Russian solo sailor on the 40 foot yacht NICOLAI was found to be at risk of being swept onto shore in his yacht in a gusting to 45 knot South Easterly wind and confused rough sea conditions.A tow line was rigged from our sea rescue craft ALBIE MATTHEWS and the yacht was towed out to sea and to safety where our larger sea rescue craft NADINE GORDIMER took over the tow and the yacht was towed safely into Hout Bay harbour and berthed.It appears that the solo sailor had experienced motor failure after his last Port of call in Mauritius and he had tried throughout the morning to enter Hout Bay harbour under sail with no joy in the strong wind and he had then retired to the lee of Chapman's Peak to regroup where, without motor power, the sea had threatened to run his yacht onto the rocks below Chapman's Peak Drive and he called Telkom Maritime Radio Services for assistance and the Transnet National Ports Authority activated Sea Rescue Hout Bay to go to his assistance.The Russian Consulate are assisting the man with Visa entry to South Africa and the Hout Bay Yacht Club are assisting the man with a berth for his yacht and welcoming assistance.The man was not injured and he will remain in Hout Bay for now to repair his yachts motor. Pic: Steve Searle