On Saturday, 20 August, the massive search for a missing sailor came to an end after the National Sea and Rescue Institute (NSRI) located the 60-year-old aboard his vessel, deceased.
An SA Air Force 22 squadron Oryx helicopter located the yacht and the solo sailor approximately 30 nautical miles southwest of Stillbaai.
According to reports, the sailor’s family had grown worried when he did not return and alerted the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) on 15 August. The MRCC initiated enquiries into the whereabouts of the vessel before the NSRI Emergency Operations Centre was notified of the sailing vessel on 19 August, as per IOL.
After the vessel was spotted by the airborne helicopter on Saturday, a swimmer was deployed to swim aboard where he found the deceased sailor.
“With limited aviation fuel remaining, the rescue swimmer placed a signalling beacon on the yacht before being recovered into the helicopter and they returned to base.
“An operation by authorities and the SA Police Service is under way to safely recover the body from the yacht and to safely recover the yacht,” the NSRI said.
The family have asked for privacy during this heartbreaking time.
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