Sea Rescue tows stranded yacht
Sea Rescue Station 19 successfully towed in a yacht that lost engine power in adverse weather
STRUGGLING in choppy waters against a 40 knot north-easterly wind, the crew of the yacht ‘Eurona’ was forced to call for help from the NSRI at Richards Bay on Monday.
Sea Rescue Station 19 Commander, Cornel du Toit activated the volunteer crew at around 11.30am and the rescue craft ‘Spirit of Richards Bay’ was launched.
The yacht, en route from Durban to Richards Bay with one male and three females aboard, suffered motor failure and was five nautical miles off Port Durnford when the call was made.
‘We rendezvoused with the yacht 15 nautical miles south of Richards Bay and found the crew to be exhausted but safe,’ said Du Toit.
‘It appears that they had been struggling to make headway in rough seas and strong gusting winds since the early hours of the morning before finally succumbing and requesting assistance.
‘A tow-line was rigged from our sea rescue craft and making slow progress, in short choppy 2 to 3 metre swells, they were towed to the Port of Richards Bay without incident, arriving at 6pm.
‘Their yacht was safely berthed and they required no further assistance.’
