Cape Town - A South African solo yachtsman had a narrow escape in the south Pacific Ocean when he fell and hurt himself badly during bad weather.
Gert Bosch, 52, a former environmental manager at the Qumba iron-ore mine at Sishen, fell into the cockpit of his yacht while he was working the rigging during the storm at the weekend.
Rescue authorities initially feared he might have broken his hip and his situation was monitored by the National Sea Rescue Institute and the US Coastguard.
After he fell, Bosch was unable to move and could not get to his radio to call for help but he had his satellite phone with him and called his brother Eugene in Durban.
“Gert began his round-the-world-alone voyage in 2010 and he would stay in touch with me by either calling me every few days or so or SMSing me to give me his position,” Eugene Bosch said.
“He called me at 1pm yesterday (Sunday) and told me he was in big trouble.”
Eugene Bosch immediately alerted the NSRI in Cape Town, who got in touch with the US Coastguard at Honolulu, Hawaii.
Gert Bosch was sailing alone aboard his 38- foot yacht Lycaon to the south of Hawaii in a remote part of the South Pacific when the drama unfolded.
The US Coastguard reported the ship nearest Gert was a day-and-a-half’s sailing away. But a few hours after raising the alarm, Bosch found his condition was improving. By 5.30pm on Sunday he reported he was able to move around, despite being in a lot of pain. He began motoring towards Palmyra Island.
On Monday morning Bosch had regained full movement. He had alerted the US Coastguard, who were expecting him.
“When he gets there, he will decide whether he is going to continue or fly home,” Eugene Bosch said.
Gert Bosch, who grew up in Pretoria, did a six-month sailing course before taking on his dream of sailing around the world.
Cape Argus