Clifford Ireland, NSRI Durban station commander, said; “At 06h08, Tuesday, 11th August, NSRI Shelly Beach and NSRI Durban were placed on alert following a request for assistance from the 45 foot yacht SALTY COW, sailing from East London to Durban, suffering motor failure and storm damage, 4km off-shore of Port Shepstone Lighthouse, with 4 crew onboard, 2 males and 2 females and two dogs.
“According to the crew, the yacht departed East London on Friday, 07th August, and in the early stages of their voyage they were battered by a storm with up to 50 knot Westerly winds, causing motor failure and a torn mainsail that had also jammed and was unable to be de-rigged. However, they were able to sail on using the mainsail and also rigging additional sails and they made a steady 3 to 4 knot progress but on reaching Port Shepstone the wind died down completely and they waited out the night but with still no wind and although not in any immediate danger, they decided to alert sea rescue as a precautionary measure.
“With sunrise on Tuesday, 11th August, the wind picked up slightly and they confirmed to sea rescue that they were again underway, continuing to sail towards Durban, and NSRI Shelly Beach and NSRI Durban remained on alert and checking on their progress from time to time during the day but an Easterly wind that had gradually changed during the afternoon resulted in their progress being slowed to the point where if they had continued to sail without tacking they would end up being pushed back towards Shelly Beach and with the sail damage and motor damage NSRI Durban duty controllers were not willing to let them tack out to sea (away from the coastline) which would require changes in course to head out towards the the deep-sea if they wanted to reach Durban.
“At 20h00, Tuesday, 11th August, the decision was taken for NSRI Durban to launch the sea rescue craft EIKOS RESCUER II to go to their assistance.
“At that stage they were 35 nautical miles South of Durban.
“At 22h23, the sea rescue craft rendezvoused with SALTY COW, 35 nautical miles from Durban’s Port, and a tow-line was rigged. Communications were assisted by Telkom Maritime Radio Services and making at times up to almost 8 knots the yacht and her crew were towed without incident arriving in the Port of Durban at 02h30 and the yacht was safely moored at the International Marina and the operation completed by 03h30 and no further assistance was required.”
