MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) tracked the progress of Australian solo sailor Lisa Blair, on her 15 meter yacht Climate Action, that suffered structural damage and a collapsed mast during a storm 895 nautical miles South East of the South African Coast on Monday, 03 April.
At the time of her Pan Pan emergency call, although not injured, safe, in no imminent danger, and able to continue under motor power, options were investigated for her to head towards Marion Island or towards the Prince Edward Islands (which would have sent her in a direction away from the South African Coastline). MRCC requested the assistance of the Motor Vessel Eastern Mercury, who were then 750 nautical miles from her position, to rendezvous with yacht Climate Action to deliver reserve fuel and M/V Eastern Mercury volunteered to assist and this option was accepted as it meant yacht Climate Action would motor on her own power towards South Africa and rendezvous with M/V Eastern Mercury on her way.
This took place successfully in the days that followed and the ship M/V Eastern Mercury rendezvoused with yacht Climate Action, providing additional fuel for the yacht to reach the South African Coast, and on Wednesday, 12th April, yacht Climate Action motored into the Port of Table Bay at around 16h00 under her own power and NSRI Table Bay’s sea rescue craft Spirit of Day assisted the yacht to a safe berth in the V&A Marina and no further assistance was required.
