The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Gordons Bay successfully averted disaster on Sunday, 27 July, as two separate maritime incidents unfolded along the scenic coastline of Strand and Gordon’s Bay Harbour.
The swift response and collaboration between local NSRI units and the fishermen and sailors involved were instrumental in ensuring the safety of all parties, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The first incident unfolded at approximately 9:30am, when a local fishing craft with five fishermen onboard reported a dire situation to the NSRI Emergency Operations Centre.
The fishing vessel, approximately three nautical miles offshore from Gordon’s Bay Harbour, was suffering from mechanical failure and, subsequently, taking on water due to unknown causes, putting all onboard at risk of sinking.
Brian Gosling, the NSRI Gordon’s Bay duty coxswain, immediately activated the rescue crew, who quickly gathered at the NSRI station to launch the rescue craft, Spirit of Surfski.
As they set out, the fishing crew signalled for help by deploying an orange distress smoke flare, which aided the rescuers in locating them swiftly.
‘Upon arrival, the NSRI team found the five fishermen in a state of relief, safely secured in their life jackets. With three of the fishermen transferred onto the rescue craft, the remaining two, including the vessel’s skipper, assisted in setting up a towline.’
‘Remarkably, during the tow back to Gordons Bay, the accumulated water began to drain naturally, alleviating fears of sinking. The crew successfully brought the fishing craft to safety at the harbour, where it was placed on a trailer, concluding the operation by 12:16pm,’ Gosling stated.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident on Friday, 25 July, NSRI Gordon’s Bay had noticed a sailing yacht had grounded itself in shallow surf near the SA Naval College during an attempt to enter the harbour.
As daylight broke, the alarm was raised at 7:55am, prompting an NSRI response. Crew launched the rescue craft Rescue 9 Charlie and arrived to secure the sailing yacht, allowing its two crew members to stay onboard while they awaited high tide.
At 12:51pm, with the tide in their favour, the NSRI launched the Spirit of Surfski for a second time, this time to tow the stricken yacht back into Gordon’s Bay Harbour.
The team discovered that the yacht’s rudder had sustained damage from grounding, rendering it unable to navigate. After rigging a towline and deploying crew to assist, the sailing vessel was successfully brought back to the safety of the NSRI rescue base for necessary repairs, with operations concluding at 3pm.
NSRI Gordon’s Bay station commander, Ryan Holmes, praised the diligence of his crew and highlighted the importance of swift action in ensuring the safety of those at sea.
‘The proactive measures taken across both incidents exemplify the commitment and readiness of our teams to protect lives and vessels in distress,’ he stated.
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Picture: The National Sea Rescue Institute
