NSRI Provided Assistance to Multiple Vessels in Need

NSRI Yzerfontein duty crew were activated following a call from NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) of a yacht threatening to run aground in the vicinity of Yzerfontein main beach with a local solo sailor onboard.

NSRI crew responded to the beach to investigate while the NSRI Yzerfontein rescue craft Spirit of DHL II was launched.

Investigations discovered that the yacht was close to the rocky shoreline near to Schaapen Island.

Our rescue arrived on scene, really just in the nick of time to prevent the yacht from running aground, where a towline was rigged and we towed the yacht into our Bay at Yzerfontein.

The sailing yacht's anchor had been lost - we lent our anchor to the sailor and the casualty vessel was safely put to anchor.

The following day NSRI assisted the yachtsman to obtain a personal anchor for his yacht and it is expected that he will continue on his way in the next day or two.

NSRI Yzerfontein crew continue to keep an eye on the sailing yacht while she is in our Bay.

PLETTENBERG BAY:

NSRI STN 14 PLETTENBERG BAY:

Ross Badenhorst, NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty coxswain, said:

At 14h32, Friday, 8 March, NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a solo sailor on a Hobie-Cat capsized in the Bay off-shore of Keurbooms River Mouth.

A second Hobie-Cat, also with a solo sailor, was circling the capsized Hobie appearing to be attempting to assist to right the capsized craft.

The NSRI rescue craft Erik Stratford Rescuer, affectionately known to our crew as "Fugly", was launched to investigate while additional crew responded to our NSRI station 14 rescue base and launched the NSRI rescue craft Ray Farnham Rescuer.

A seal colony charter boat, with our NSRI Plettenberg Bay station commander onboard, at sea at the time, also investigated.

On arrival on the scene to the 2 sailors were attempting to right the casualty Hobie-Cat.

NSRI assisted them to right the craft and once righted they required no further assistance, continuing on their sail.

NSRI commend the many eye-witnesses for their vigilance and efforts to raise the alarm.