The NSRI Yzerfontein duty crew was activated in response to a call from the NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) reporting a yacht threatening to run aground near Yzerfontein’s main beach, with a local solo sailor on board.
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The NSRI crew responded to the beach to investigate, and the NSRI Yzerfontein rescue craft Spirit of DHL II was launched.
Investigations revealed that the yacht was close to the rocky shoreline near Schaapen Island.
The rescue team arrived on scene just in time to keep the yacht from running aground and towed it into their bay at Yzerfontein.
The sailing yacht had lost its anchor, so they lent it to the sailor, and the casualty vessel was safely anchored.
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The following day, NSRI assisted the yachtsman in obtaining a personal anchor for his yacht, and he is expected to continue on his way within the next day or two.
The crew at NSRI Yzerfontein continues to keep an eye on the sailing yacht while she is in their bay.
Meanwhile, on Friday afternoon, the NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew was called into action after a solo sailor on a Hobie-Cat capsized in the bay off the coast of Keurbooms River Mouth.
A second Hobie-Cat, also with a solo sailor, was circling the capsized Hobie and appeared to be attempting to help right the craft.
The NSRI rescue craft Erik Stratford Rescuer, affectionately known by the crew as ‘Fugly’, was launched to investigate, while another crew responded to the NSRI Station 14 rescue base and launched the NSRI rescue craft Ray Farnham Rescuer.
‘A seal colony charter boat, with the NSRI Plettenberg Bay station commander onboard, at sea at the time, was also investigated,’ said Ross Badenhorst, NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty coxswain.
‘On arrival, two sailors were attempting to right the casualty Hobie-Cat.’
‘NSRI assisted them to right the craft and once righted they required no further assistance, continuing on their sail.’
‘NSRI commend the many eye-witnesses for their vigilance and efforts to raise the alarm.’
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Also read:
10 things to do in Yzerfontein – a surfer’s paradise on the West Coast
Picture: 16 Mile Beach/Facebook