3 NSRI stations joined forces in an operation to assist a Trimaran motor yacht, with 4 local male crew onboard, that ran into difficulties off-shore of Witsand on the Southern Coast of Western Cape.At 13h27, Sunday, 26 July, NSRI Witsand duty crew were activated following a request for assistance from a 13 meter Trimaran motor yacht, with 4 local male crew onboard, reporting gearbox and rudder failure and requiring assistance 23 nautical miles off-shore of Witsand.The NSRI Witsand sea rescue craft Breede Rescuer was launched and on arrival at the casualty Trimaran all 4 crew were found to be safe and it was determined that arrangements would need to be made to get the casualty Trimaran to Mossel Bay for repairs.NSRI Still Bay and NSRI Mossel Bay duty crews were activated and NSRI Witsand rigged a towline and towed the casualty Trimaran towards Still Bay.NSRI Still Bay launched the sea rescue craft Colorpress Rescuer and rendezvoused with NSRI Witsand and the casualty Trimaran.NSRI Still Bay took over the tow of the casualty Trimaran from NSRI Witsand and the casualty Trimaran was towed to Still Bay without incident.NSRI Mossel Bay launched the sea rescue craft Rescue 15 and on arrival at Still Bay took over the tow from NSRI Still Bay.Rescue 15 towed the casualty Trimaran to Mossel Bay harbour arriving at 03h00 on Monday morning.On arrival at Mossel Bay an NSRI rescue swimmer was transferred onto the casualty Trimaran and Rescue 15 rafted alongside the casualty Trimaran and Rescue 15 brought her into the harbour to the Vincent Jetty where additional NSRI shore crew were standing by and she was moored at Vincent Jetty and no further assistance was required.The owner and crew of the casualty Trimaran will make repairs in Mossel Bay before continuing on her voyage to East London.NSRI Emergency Operations Centre, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, NSRI Witsand, NSRI Still Bay and NSRI Mossel Bay duty controllers and Transnet National Ports Authority assisted Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in communications, coordination and logistics during the operation.
