NSRI rescues four yachts in gale
THE NSRI Simon’s Town station crew had its hands full assisting four yachts, one of them in the final stage of circumnavigating the world, to berth safely in gale-force winds
Crew were activated a few minutes before 7pm after witness reports of a yacht appearing to be in difficulty offshore of Long Beach, station commander Darren Zimmerman said.
“At the same time, we received a call from the yacht, the 45-foot Calypso, requesting assistance and reporting sail and rigging problems as well as their motor not holding against the 50-knot south-easterly wind.
“Aboard Calypso were a local couple. Having completed a 12-year circumnavigation and on the final stage of their voyage from Mossel Bay to Simon’s Town, they ran into problems,” he said. “We activated our sea rescue craft Spirit of Safmarine III, and Spirit of Surfski II. We found the yacht drifting towards rocks and the husband and wife team struggled with the tow-line we passed them.”
Two NSRI crew were transferred to the Calypso and helped the couple rig the tow-line. The Calypso was then towed safely into harbour by the Spirit of Safmarine III, where yachting crew from the False Bay Yacht Club (FBYC) had gathered at the berthing area. They assisted with tying up the Calypso.
The crew of Calypso reported an additional three yachts were also sailing from Mossel Bay and arriving in Simon’s Town. They requested that the NSRI help the three yachts into harbour against the 50-knot wind, Zimmerman said.
Two local yachting crew from the FBYC were taken on board the Spirit of Surfski II and transported to the first arriving boat, the 45-foot yacht Elusion, which had a Spanish husband and wife on board. The local yachtsmen went on board the yacht and assisted them to get into the harbour safely.
“We then rendezvoused with the third yacht, the 30-foot Westwood, with a French solo sailor on board. NSRI crew were put aboard his yacht and assisted him to get safely to a berth in the harbour.
“We then rendezvoused with the fourth yacht, the 50-foot Kantolou, with three crew on board – a Brazilian family. NSRI crew were taken aboard the yacht and the yacht was assisted into the harbour, where our sea rescue craft Spirit of Surfski II nudged them the last few metres to a safe berthing,” he said.
Once all four yachts were safely berthed no further assistance was required. The operation to assist all four yachts was finally completed at 10.48pm. Zimmerman commended the FBYC members for their help. – ANA