Drama at sea near Port Shepstone during Vasco da Gama race
The well-known ocean race continues to test sailors against challenging offshore conditions along South Africa’s east coast.
Only two seconds separated the frontrunners in this year’s 55th Vasco da Gama Ocean Race, but the prestigious offshore event also saw drama unfold at sea after a distress beacon was activated off the KZN South Coast.
The annual 265 nautical mile race started offshore in Durban on May 24, with yachts battling rough ocean conditions along the Wild Coast route to East London.
Cowies Hill resident Peter Blofield, helming Regardless 2, claimed line honours after a close battle with fellow Durban yacht, CFM II skippered by Nigel Milln.
Blofield, competing in his third Vasco race, crossed the finish line in a time of one day, 10 hours, 25 minutes and 44 seconds.
However, while the frontrunners raced south, concern grew during the early hours of May 25 when the sailing yacht Free Spirit activated its Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon deep offshore near Port Shepstone.
At about 04:50, the NSRI Durban duty controller was alerted by the Vice Commodore of the Point Yacht Club after the distress signal was detected. Communication with the two-man crew onboard Free Spirit could not immediately be established.
The NSRI Emergency Operations Centre and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre responded swiftly, while Telkom Maritime Radio Services issued a Pan-Pan broadcast on marine radio channel 16 requesting nearby vessels to assist.
With no nearby vessels able to assist, NSRI Shelly Beach volunteers launched the rescue craft Spirit of Dawn to help.
Free Spirit was towed to safety by NSRI crews after suffering rudder failure, which forced the yacht to retire from the race.
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