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Sailing Catamaran assisted

Norman Rautenbach, NSRI Richards Bay deputy station commander, said: At 15h40, Tuesday, 21 November, NSRI Station 19 Richards Bay duty crew were activated following a request for urgent assistance from 2 local men on a Catamaran sailing vessel adrift some 18 Nautical miles North of Richards Bay.

A TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) helicopter, during a routine flight, had intercepted a VHF marine radio distress call from the yacht skipper reporting to be adrift at sea caught in strong South Westerly winds with motor mechanical failure, limited battery power and rudder failure.

The TNPA Port helicopter crew raised the alarm.

Initially unsure of the safety of the 2 crewmen our NSRI Richards Bay rescue craft Ocean Guardian was swiftly launched.

On reaching the general area that they had reported to be in, and following a brief search, the yacht was located 20 nautical miles from the Port of Richards Bay and 18 nautical miles off-shore of Durnford Point lighthouse.

Communications were assisted by Telkom Maritime Radio Services, NSRI Richards Bay duty controllers and TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Richards Bay Port Control.

Our NSRI crew rigged a towline and the sailing Catamaran was towed safely to the Port of Richards Bay where our rescue craft was drafted alongside and they were moored safe at a berth at Tuzi Gazi small craft harbour where they will render repairs before continuing on their voyage.

No further assistance was required.

The skipper had alerted NSRI Richards Bay 3 weeks ago to advise that they were returning to Durban from Mozambique but they were experiencing motor mechanical problems. They requested NSRI to be on alert.

On approaching towards the Richards Bay area their vessel suffered damage in strong force 8 winds and they requested urgent assistance on VHF marine radio communications that were intercepted by the Port helicopter crew who had climbed their helicopter to 2000 feet to establish a stronger VHF marine radio signal.

During the rescue operation wind conditions subsided to almost zero wind speed and calm seas.

The operation completed at 22h30

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