NSRI Shelly Beach crew receive special award
The sea rescue volunteers were thanked for going the extra mile.
Crew members of NSRI Station 20 Shelly Beach have been awarded for going the extra mile in assisting a stricken yacht off the South Coast coastline on Monday, May 23.
Nigel Milln, organising committee chairman, and Ron Pet, race officer for the Minuteman Press Vasco da Gama Ocean Race 2022, presented the station with the Rubicon Memorial Trophy for their work in assisting yacht Adios during the emergency situation.
During the race yacht Rubicon suffered water intake from blocked scuppers off-shore of Umtentweni.
Craig Lambinon, spokesman for NSRI, said NSRI Shelly Beach rescue craft Spirit of Dawn responded carrying diesel and water extrication pumps and the situation was corrected.
Although yacht Adios resigned from the race they made it safely to East London without incident.
The Rubicon Memorial Trophy is the legacy to all who assisted in the extensive search for yacht Rubicon and her crew that floundered off the Wild Coast in 1984.
Lambinon said it was during a Vasco Da Gama Race, Durban to East London, when hit by gale force winds the yacht and all her crew vanished without a trace and nothing was ever found.
Local plumbers Morne Beattie and Darren Sparrow were also thanked for their assistance. They made a quick-thinking plan by ensuring pumps were available to correct the situation.
Accepting the award on behalf of NSRI Station 20 Shelly Beach, deputy station commander Ruahn Beattie, along with crew members.
The Vasco da Gama Ocean Race organising committee was proud to present the prestigious award to the station.
The committee is most appreciative of the work done by this station for the South African sailing fraternity and this iconic race.
A special thanks to Gill Campbell, the race secretary for notifying the family, and putting them to ease about during the incident.
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