PORT ALFRED:Chris Pike, NSRI Port Alfred deputy station commander, said:At 10h50, Saturday, 8 August, NSRI Port Alfred duty crew were activated following a request for assistance from a local 7 meter ski-boat reporting one of her two outboard motors failed and their boat with 6 adult male crew onboard was taking water in the Kowie River mouth.The sea rescue craft Lotto Challenger, at sea conducting routine engine maintenance at the time and 1 nautical mile away from the casualty boat, diverted to assist and the sea rescue craft Rescue 11 Alpha was launched.On arrival on the scene 4 of the casualty crew were taken off the vessel and brought to shore safely.NSRI rescue swimmers were then transferred onto the casualty boat and the remaining 2 casualty crew were transferred onto our sea rescue craft.Our NSRI crew on the casualty boat set about repairing one of the outboard motors and finding the boat hull to be cracked causing the water intake.The casualty boat was driven around at sea to run the boat free of the water intake.At that stage it was nearing low tide and not safe to bring the casualty boat into the harbour.Our crew continued to run the casualty boat free of water out at sea and the one outboard motor was repaired at sea.At the turn of the tide our NSRI crew brought the casualty boat into the harbour on both of her motors and she was brought to the small boat harbour and no further assistance was required.TABLE BAY:Marc de Vos, NSRI Table Bay station commander, said:At 13h56, Saturday, 8 August, NSRI Table Bay duty crew were activated following eye-witness reports of a man using a hydrofoil to kite board off-shore of Dolphin Beach, Milnerton, appearing to be swept to deep sea in strong winds.The sea rescue craft Spirit of Day was launched and while responding to the scene additional eye-witness reports were received for at least a further 3 craft appearing to be in difficulty, 2 SUP's (Stand-Up Paddle boards) and a kite-boarder, between Milnerton and Table View.Our NSRI Table Bay sea rescue vehicle was activated to respond to the scene.NSRI Bakoven duty crew were also activated and the sea rescue craft Rotarian Schipper joined NSRI Table Bay on the scene investigating the multiple eye-witness reports of craft suspected to be in difficulty.The 2 NSRI sea rescue craft rendezvoused with all of the paddlers and sail boarders in the area and although the hydrofoil sail boarder, the SUP's and the kite-boarders were found to be okay and not in need of any assistance NSRI monitored them until they all reached the shore safely.NSRI commend the eye-witnesses for raising the alarm.Strong gusting winds, forecast by the SA Weather Service, swept across the Cape on Saturday afternoon followed by a cold front.NSRI appeal to seafarers to monitor SA Weather Service alerts and exercise caution and adequately prepare for forecast adverse weather conditions.
