NSRI tows stricken yacht to safety
A YACHT that suffered sail damage in gale force wind off the KwaZulu- Natal north coast has been safely towed to the Richards Bay harbour for repairs, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said yesterday.
NSRI Richards Bay duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority just before 8.30am yesterday to assist the 38foot yacht Zazu, with a South African couple on board, NSRI Richards Bay duty coxswain Norman Rautenbach said.
The yacht was sailing from Durban to Mayotte and suffered sail damage in a storm on Thursday night in wind speeds reported to be gusting in excess of 50 knots.
They had then also suffered mechanical problems and contacted Telkom Maritime Radio Services for assistance, reporting to be heading to- wards Richards Bay, he said.
NSRI Richards Bay launched the sea rescue craft Spirit of Round Table II and rendezvoused with the yacht three nautical miles off Richards Bay harbour.
The yacht was taken under tow and towed into port without incident and safely moored. The couple would make repairs to their yacht before continuing on their voyage, Rautenbach said.