Clifford Ireland, NSRI Durban station commander, said: “At 05h30, Saturday, 22nd November, our NSRI Durban duty crew attended the sail past, off Vetchies Pier, for the start of the Jet-Ski fishing competition aboard our sea rescue craft MEGAN II and SPIRIT OF SVITZER.
“At 06h45 we were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following eye-witness reports of red distress flares off-shore of Andrews Beach, Bluff.
“We responded our sea rescue craft MEGAN II and on arrival on-scene found local Tyron Jordan, 33, in the water next to his fishing ski which had filled with water.
“Mr. Jordan and his ski were recovered onto our sea rescue craft and brought to shore and no further assistance was required.
“During this call, at 06h50, we were alerted by TNPA of a Swiss Ocean Sailing Team aboard the 50 foot yacht, BOINGO ALIVE, sailing from Richards Bay to Port Elizabeth and 12 nautical miles off-shore of Durban the yacht had sustained gear box failure and requesting assistance into the Port of Durban for repairs.
“Our sea rescue craft WIKIS RESCUER II launched and rendezvoused with the yacht which under the conditions would have sailed into Port but wind direction changed and we launched EIKOS RESCUER II and instead towed the yacht and her three crew, a Swiss skipper and an Italian and a German crewmen onboard, to safe mooring in Durban’s Port where they required no further assistance and will effect repairs before continuing on their voyage.”
