Two yachts participating in the Southern Cross Off-shore Challenge suffered engine failure and broken masts over the past two days. They were towed to safety by NSRI volunteer duty crew.
Gordons Bay NSRI volunteer duty crew today towed the yacht Double Helix to safety after it suffered motor failure.
The yacht left Gordons Bay early yesterday in the regatta challenge from Gordons bay to Mossel Bay but suffered sail damage off Hangklip. While motoring back towards Gordons Bay the motor failed and they raised the alarm, requesting assistance.
Sea conditions were of 3 meter rough swells and 30 to 35 knots North Westerly wind. The crew rigged a storm sail but were limping towards Gordons Bay.
Brian Kingston, NSRI Gordons Bay deputy station commander, said at 11 pm, 13th June NSRI Gordons Bay duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority following a request for assistance from the yacht Double Helix reporting to mainsail damage and motor failure off-shore of Kleinmond.
The duty crew launched the sea rescue craft, Jack Riley, and met up with the yacht and 4 crew (3 males and a female) 2 nautical miles past Pringle Bay. They were safe .
“We rigged a towline and towed them to Gordons Bay harbour arriving this morning at 5 am and once safely berthed the crew required no further assistance.
Then NSRI Struisbaai also assisted a yacht today. Danie Viljoen, NSRI Agulhas deputy station commander, said at 7 am sea duty crewwere placed on alert following reports from the yacht Dodo, taking part in the Southern Cross Off-shore Challenge, suffering a broken boom and a damaged mainsail but reporting to be limping towards Struisbaai under motor power.
“NSRI Agulhas monitored the yacht’s progress during the morning while a third yacht, also taking part in the same yacht regatta, limped into Struisbaai under her own power suffering similar storm damage to the mainsail.
“At 11 am all communications with Dodo was lost without explanation and MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) and Telkom Maritime Radio Services stepped in to assist in trying to locate the yacht while NSRI Hermanus was also placed on alert, considering that the yacht may have drifted closer to the Hermanus area.
“At midday Telkom Maritime Radio Services raised the yacht via VHF radio communications and the yacht reported to be 5 nautical miles from Struisbaai, limping along and making slow progress under motor power into 3 to 4 meter swells and a 26 knot gusting headwind.”
A decision was taken for NSRI Agulhas duty crew to launch its sea rescue craft Vodacom Rescuer VII and we rendezvoused with the yacht and took her under tow.
“During the tow towards Struisbaai the yacht’ motor failed so it had been the best decision to go and fetch it. We towed the yacht to a safe mooring in Struisbaai. The crew needed no further assistance and will wait out the bad weather before effecting repairs.”
(edited)
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