SOS for seniors at sea
The couple had set sail from Richards Bay Port yesterday morning on a voyage to Durban
AFTER their yacht suffered a mechanical failure out at sea, an elderly couple made it safely back to shore on Wednesday afternoon thanks to quick response from the National Sea Rescue Institute.
The NSRI Richards Bay crew was notified by the Transnet Ports Authority following a request from the 38 foot Swedish yacht Marieke III, with the unnamed husband (71) and wife (70) on board.
The couple had set sail from Richards Bay Port yesterday morning on a voyage to Durban when gearbox mechanical failure in heavy seas forced them to turn around and head back.
The Sea Rescue craft Spirit of Richards Bay II was launched into six to eight metre swells and a 20 knot Southwesterly wind and rendezvoused with the yacht eight nautical miles off-shore.
The yacht was taken under tow without incident and safely moored at the Zululand Yacht Club where they will make repairs to the gear box before continuing on their voyage.
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