Gordons Bay, Robben Island and Still Bay

GORDONS BAY:Alan Meiklejohn, NSRI Gordons Bay station commander, said:At 20h05, Sunday, 06th August, NSRI Gordons Bay duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following a request for assistance from a 5.5 meter rubber-duck, at anchor with 5 crew onboard, reporting battery failure off-shore of Hangklip Lighthouse and reporting to be in no immediate danger but crew getting cold and the craft reported to be taking water.The sea rescue craft Jack & Irene was launched and on arrival on the scene, in windy conditions and a 2 to 2.5 meter swell, we found them safe.Attempts had reportedly been made earlier for family members to assist them from Hangklip but a launch from Hangklip was not feasible with the surf conditions.An NSRI rescue swimmer was transferred onto the casualty craft and 4 of the casualty craft crew were transferred onto the sea rescue craft and they were wrapped in blankets.The skipper remained onboard his craft which was taken under tow and we towed the casualty craft to Gordons Bay Harbour after the decision was made not to take them to the Hangklip slipway, where they had launched from earlier in the day, for safety precautions due to unfavorable surf conditions.GB Med Security ambulance were summoned and on our arrival at our sea rescue station GB Med Security paramedics medically assessed the 5 crew of the casualty vessel and a hot cup of coffee was all that was required to warm them up and no further assistance was required and they made arrangements to get home.ROBBEN ISLAND:Rhine Barnes, NSRI Melkbosstrand station commander, said:At 10h31, Tuesday, 08th August, NSRI Melkbosstrand were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following a request for assistance from 3 male crew of the 4.2 meter rubber-duck Nadia reporting motor mechanical failure on the Northern side of Robben Island.Our sea rescue craft Rotary's Gift was launched and on arrival on the scene we found the men safe and we assisted them to repair their motor at sea and we then escorted them without incident to the Melkbosstrand slipway, where they had launched from earlier in the day, and once their boat was recovered no further assistance was required.

Rotary's GiftSTILL BAY:George Sabbagha, NSRI Still Bay deputy station commander, said:At 12h00, Tuesday, 08th August, NSRI Still Bay duty crew were activated following a request for assistance from the fishing vessel Vuna Christelle reporting motor mechanical failure 14 nautical miles South West of Still Bay.Arrangements had been made for boat motor mechanics to assist and they needed to be taken to the vessel.The 2 mechanics, from Mossel Bay, arrived at our sea rescue station and we launched the sea rescue craft Spirit of St Francis and in choppy sea conditions with a light South Easterly wind we rendezvoused with the Vuna Christelle and the mechanics were transferred onto the vessel.Efforts to fix the mechanical failure at sea were unsuccessful and a sister ship has taken the Vuna Christelle under tow and they are towing the casualty fishing trawler to Mossel Bay for repairs.