Sudden storm causes boats to get into difficulty:

Andre Fletcher, NSRI Durban deputy station commander, said:A sudden rain storm and a sudden change in wind speed and direction to a 40 knot South Westerly wind saw a number of boats get into difficulties on Sunday late afternoon around Durban.At 16h59, Sunday, 25th March, NSRI Durban duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following a request for assistance from the yacht Tequila Sunrise run aground on the North Breakwater at the Port of Durban with 3 persons onboard.While NSRI were launching 2 sea rescue craft Megan II and Eikos Rescuer II the harbour pilot boat Lufafa went to assist the yacht and were able to pull the yacht off the breakwater and tow her to the Navy mooring safely where the owners will assess the damage. NSRI may assist to tow her to the Point Yacht Club moorings later.

No one was injured.NSRI were diverted to respond to assist the yacht Four Years who were at the entrance to the harbour and needing assistance in the strong winds.A Police sea border control boat reached the yacht Four Winds and took her under tow and towed her to the International yacht moorings while the sea rescue craft Megan II diverted to respond to assist the yacht Magenta with 3 crew onboard, 2 men and a woman, they were on an afternoon cruise on motor power when the storm caught them and their single motor was unable to cope against the sea conditions presented.

Picture: NSRI Durban. The 26 foot Yacht Magenta being towed into Port by NSRI Durban.NSRI rendezvoused with them 4 nautical miles off-shore of the Moses Mabhida Stadium and took them under tow and they were towed by our sea rescue craft to the Point Marina.During these operations the NSRI sea rescue craft Eikos Rescuer II responded to assist the harbour tug boat Fleur du Cap reporting a service boat, a rubber duck, dislodged from their vessel during the storm and the rubber-duck, unmanned, was swept away and was missing somewhere in the vicinity of the entrance to the Port of Durban.NSRI located the rubber-duck with the centre console washed overboard but still attached and the sea rescue craft has towed the rubber-duck to Fleur du Cap to be returned.After all operations were completed no further assistance was required.