STRUIBAAI:At 13h28 on Friday the 22nd of April, NSRI Agulhas duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) to assist in the harbour where fishing boats were being battered and breaking loose from moorings during a storm with gale force winds and rough sea conditions.The sea rescue craft I&J Rescuer and Rescue 30 were launched and owners and skippers of fishing boats were transported to their boats that had broken loose from moorings while other boats threatening to break free from moorings were secured. Boats broken free from moorings were corralled and brought to the harbour slip, where the NSRI tractor was used to load them onto their trailers and pull them onto dry land and out of danger.No one was injured and despite some damage to some boats no major damage was reported.
DURBAN:On Sunday the 24th of April, NSRI Durban duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following a request for assistance from the yacht Assegai, with two local Durban men onboard, sailing from Coffee Bay to Durban, reporting motor failure and some sail damage from gale force winds.The crew reported to be 12 nautical miles from Durban and limping towards the Port of Durban and, although not in any danger, they would require assistance to get into Port after they had gone over fishing nets during their voyage causing damage to their motor. The gale force winds were making progress slow and had also caused sail damage.Clifford Ireland, NSRI Durban station commander, said that the decision was made to go to them and the NSRI sea rescue craft Eikos Rescuer II rendezvoused with the yacht 8 nautical miles from Port.A tow line was rigged and the yacht was towed to Port and safely moored without incident and they required no further assistance.
TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE