Search for SA yachtsmen gains world-wide support

THE search for three South African yachtsmen has gone viral on Facebook and has gained international support following the news that their arrival is a month overdue.

Durban’s Reginald Robertson (59), former Cowies Hill resident, Anthony Murray (58) and Cape Town’s Jaryd Payne (20) were on board a catamaran that was to be delivered in Phuket, Thailand for renowned maritime leisure business, Tui Marine.

Their expected date of arrival was 2 February, but Murray’s family reported to Cape Town’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre that the arrival of the catamaran was late, 10 days after it was supposed to arrive in Thailand.

The yachtsmen stayed in contact with family and friends via a satellite phone, and Murray, who has more than 25 years’ experience at sea, often updated Tui Marine on their progress. According to the yacht’s coordinates, at the time of their last communication it was about 2 190 miles north-north-west of Perth, Australia.

In a post on the Searching for Anthony, Reg and Jaryd page on Facebook, Murray’s sister-in-law, Diane Coetzer, wrote: “The catamaran left Cape Town Harbour on 14 December on a delivery trip to Phuket, Thailand. The last contact on the satellite phone with the catamaran was on 18 January. It is now significantly over Skipper Anthony’s last official ETA (estimated time of arrival) of 2 February, as well as later estimates by our family advisor, Matthew Thomas.

“The Searching for Anthony, Reg and Jaryd page is also intent on raising general awareness of the catamaran’s deeply worrying overdue status and soliciting real support from different quarters in the search for our loved ones.”

Support from across the country, and even abroad, has been pouring in on Facebook, with many maritime experts offering their support, expertise and help.

Paul Rutzen wrote on the page: “Hey Ant. I know you’re out there. Hang in – everyone is looking for you. Your China’s (sic) Carlos, Paul and familia.”

Dean Legg from the UK wrote: “Hi guys, praying for the safe return of Reg, Ant, and Jaryd. I know Reg well and am shocked at the news. I am currently in the UK and I will see what I can do from here to hopefully help. Be strong.”