Plettenberg Bay: Catamaran Assisted

Ross Badenhorst, NSRI Plettenberg Bay deputy station commander, said: At 12h34, Friday, 2 January, NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew were activated following a request for assistance from a Catamaran motor vessel, with 3 adult male crew onboard, reporting motor mechanical failure, 8 nautical miles offshore East of Cape Seal, Plettenberg Bay.

Our NSRI crew responded to our NSRI Plettenberg Bay station 14 rescue base where preparations were made to launch the NSRI rescue craft Courtenay’s Rescuer.

Accompanied by a local boat motor mechanic we launched our rescue craft and rendezvoused with the vessel 8 nautical miles offshore.

The mechanic and an NSRI crewman were transferred onto the 15 meter motor vessel where repairs were initiated.

Repairs to the motors could not immediately be made and 2 NSRI rescue swimmers were deployed into the water to establish a towline.

The towline was established and we towed the vessel to anchorage offshore of Central Beach, Plettenberg Bay, and no further NSRI assistance was required.

Using a private tender the mechanic collected additional spare parts and temporary repairs to the casualty vessel motors were made and, accompanied by the mechanic, the vessel continued on to Knysna where additional repairs will be made before the vessel continues on to her final destination, Simons Town.