Durban – The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) on Friday assisted two Hobie Cat sailors after one of the catamarans was dismasted and the other capsized.
NSRI Durban Station Five duty controller Hymie Miya said: “At 16h39, Friday, 07th August, NSRI Durban duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) reporting a Hobie Cat appearing to be in difficulty off-shore near to Vetchies Beach, Durban.”
It was then reported that a second Hobie Cat was in difficulty.
“We launched our sea rescue craft SPIRIT OF SVITZER and on arrival on-scene, in a brisk 10 to 15 knot westerly wind, we found two Hobie Cat’s, one capsized and one dismasted,” he said in a statement.
It was confirmed that after the one Hobie Cat dismasted, with one man onboard, a fellow sailor aboard another Hobie Cat purposely capsized his craft to go to the assistance of the sailor on the dismasted Hobie Cat.
“The two men, experienced sailors, had the situation under control and all that was required was a tow to shore (of the dismasted Hobie Cat).”
A tow-line was rigged and the Hobie Cat was towed to shore safely without incident and the second sailor righted his own Hobie Cat which he sailed to shore and no further assistance was required, Miya said.
ANA