Yacht aground at Lamberts Bay & Diver missing at Dyer Island

LAMBERTS BAY:Matthys Koch, NSRI Lamberts Bay station commander, said:Early this morning, Monday, 02 October, we received reports from a Security company of a yacht appearing to be running aground next to the Lamberts Bay harbour.Our NSRI Lamberts Bay duty crew launched the sea rescue craft Douglas Murray and on investigation we found the Port Own Yacht Bacardi Breeze in shallow water off the shallow surf adjacent to the harbour and fishermen on a Kreef Bakkie (small open fishing boat) assisting the lone sailor, a 55 year old Port Owen man, to anchor his yacht that had gently run aground in shallow surf after the anchor winch reportedly failed causing the yacht to gently drift aground in shallow surf.No lives were in any danger and later, as the tide rose, the Diamond mining vessel Mkuze offered to assist and they towed the yacht out to deeper water and no further assistance was required.HERMANUS:Deon Langenhoven, NSRI Hermanus station commander, said:During the morning, Monday, 02 October, NSRI Hermanus were notified of a diver reported to be missing in the vicinity of Dyer Island.It is believed that a 31 year old male from Gansbaai, diving at Dyer Island during the night, had reportedly not surfaced from a dive at around 02h00.The SA Police Services were notified and staff from Cape Nature conducted a shoreline search around the Island.Our sea rescue craft Jaytee III launched from Kleinbaai harbour and an extensive sea search has revealed no sign of the missing man.Police are investigating and a Police Dive Unit will continue an ongoing search operation.-ENDS-