British Sailing Yacht Shepherded Down Wild Coast

KZN SOUTH COAST and EASTERN CAPE: On Sunday morning, 27 April, at 03h00, NSRI Port Edward duty crew were alerted to a British sailing yacht, that had departed Durban earlier, en route Durban to East London, suspected to be experiencing difficulties approaching offshore of Port Edward.

Communications could not be established with the sailing yacht. Royal Natal Yacht Club requested NSRI to investigate.

At 05h32, with the sailing yacht abeam of Port Edward, the NSRI Port Edward rescue craft launched at Silver Beach and rendezvoused with the sailing yacht 12 nautical miles offshore.

The skipper, male, age 60, from Scotland, and his deck hand, who joined the voyage in Durban, female, age 20, from Germany, reported that their vessel was experiencing motor mechanical issues but they were confident to continue to sail on towards East London.

NSRI Port Edward offered some insight into the conditions expected noting that they would be sailing through the notorious unpredictable (former) Transkei, Wild Coast.

Communications channels were secured to ensure NSRI and maritime authorities and the sailing yacht would remain in regular contact.

NSRI station 7 East London was alerted.

As a precaution NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), Telkom Maritime Radio Services, NSRI Port Edward, NSRI East London and NSRI operations headquarters and NSRI operations Eastern Cape in cooperation with the skipper monitored the sailing yachts progress. They made good headway, and they were expected in East London on Monday.

On Monday morning NSRI East London launched the NSRI rescue craft Spirit of DHL and Rescue 7 Bravo and rendezvoused with the sailing yacht 1.5 nautical miles offshore of the Port of East London and they were assisted into Port where the sailing yacht was berthed without incident.

STRUISBAAI:

Shaun Nortje, NSRI Agulhas duty coxswain, said:

At 12h15, Sunday, 27 April, NSRI Agulhas duty crew were activated following an eyewitness report of a man on a jet-ski appearing to be in difficulties at Skulpiesbaai, Agulhas.

The eyewitness reported seeing the man waving towards shore from his jet-ski that appeared dead in the water.

NSRI crew responded to our NSRI Agulhas station 30 rescue base where the NSRI Agulhas rescue craft JetRIB was launched and the NSRI Agulhas rescue vehicle was dispatched.

The SA Police Services and WC Government Health EMS were activated.

On arrival on the scene the casualty jet-ski was found washing ashore and the man, age 51, from Struisbaai, was injured in amongst rocks on the shoreline.

An NSRI rescue swimmer was deployed from the rescue craft but in the surf zone and heavy surf conditions was unable to reach the man before retreating back to the rescue craft.

The shore crew, with our NSRI rescue vehicle, reached the man and were able to recover him onto the shoreline.

The casualty was treated for injuries sustained – it appears injuries sustained from washing ashore onto the rocky shoreline.

On the EMS ambulance arriving on the scene he was taken into he care of EMS paramedics and transported to hospital by EMS ambulance in a stable condition. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Our NSRI rescue vehicle winch was used to recover the casualty jet-ski.

NSRI commends the swift response and the eyewitness who raised the alarm that contributed to saving the man’s life.

PLETTENBERG BAY:

Ross Badenhorst, NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty coxswain, said:

At just after 19h00, Sunday, 27 April, NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew were activated by the NSRI Plettenberg Bay siren following reports of a private small craft ski-boat, with 4 adults and a 12 year old onboard, taking on water and sinking in the Keurbooms River Mouth, Plettenberg Bay, at last light and now in the dark.

The wife of one of the casualty crew had been contacted by her husband onboard and she had raised alarm contacting NSRI Plettenberg Bay’s emergency phone.

NSRI crew responded to our NSRI Plettenberg Bay station 14 rescue base while NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene.

While responding it was reported that the casualty craft was being swept out to sea in an outgoing tide through the Keurbooms River Mouth, listing and sinking. 3 casualty crew were reported to may be unable to swim but all were secured into life-jackets.

Our NSRI rescue craft JetRIB Eric Stratford and Ray Farnham Rescuer were launched.

On arrival on the scene the casualty vessel was listing to the Port side appearing to be taking on water fast, submerged and at risk of capsizing.

NSRI deployed illuminating flares to aid in visibility in the dark to light up the vicinity assisting in the rescue operation.

Casualty crew were taken off the casualty vessel and quickly organised (and transferred) between the 2 NSRI rescue craft on the scene.

2 adult casualty crew, we believe the grandparents, and the 12 year old male, were immediately brought to the NSRI rescue base onboard an NSRI rescue craft and taken into the care of our NSRI station doctor and NSRI medics – they were medically assessed and treated for hypothermia (water temperature is around 12 degrees).

The remaining 2 adult males were safe onboard the second NSRI rescue craft.

A towline was established with the casualty craft.

The casualty craft was towed under challenging conditions, heavily laden with water, to Central Beach, where an NSRI rescue craft transported a recovery rope from our NSRI tractor to the casualty craft and the casualty craft was recovered to the shore and recovered onto her trailer.

The two remaining casualties were brought safely ashore onboard the rescue craft and they were medically assessed and treated for hypothermia.

It appears that they had experienced motor mechanical failure in the lagoon mouth where they reportedly threw anchor but with the anchor appearing not to take a hold their craft was swept out through the mouth into the surf zone while taking on water and listing.

Family arrived at our NSRI rescue base and after all 5 casualties were warmed up they required no further assistance. They are a family on a holiday from Wellington in the Cape.

It is suspected that the casualty craft took on water in the surf zone while being swept out the river mouth.

The swift response has been commended for contributing to saving the lives of all 5 casualty crew.

STRANDFONTEIN:

Nicolette Whitehead, NSRI Strandfontein station commander, said:

At 18h28, Sunday, 27 April, NSRI Strandfontein duty crew were alerted by NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) of a 34 year old male suffering a serious medical condition at Strandfontein tidal pool.

The man had suffered a serious medical condition while taking a swim in the tidal pool and was assisted from the water.

NSRI Strandfontein medics responded and on arrival on the scene medical care commenced.

The SA Police Services, WC Government Health EMS and Life Healthcare response paramedics responded.

The man, in a serious but stable condition, and in good spirits, was stabilised before being transported to hospital by EMS ambulance. He is expected to make a full recovery.

The patient, and his family, from Mitchells Plain, has commended the swift response and care provided by NSRI Strandfontein, Police and the emergency services.