The search for a solo sailor on his sailing yacht began on Friday afternoon, 19 August, when NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) were alerted by MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) to the sailing yacht Panacea that had been spotted by the motor vessel Bulk Carrier ‘SOLIN’ approximately 31 nautical miles South East off-shore of Cape Agulhas.
Panacea, with a 60 year old solo sailor from Mossel Bay onboard, was suspected to be overdue in Mossel Bay after departing the Port of Table Bay on the afternoon of Friday, 12 August.
Since Monday evening, 15 August, MRCC had initiated enquiries to attempt to determine the whereabouts of sailing yacht Panacea,
Family were anxious to hear word of his whereabouts and they were growing concerned for his safety.
While it could well have been that weather may have delayed sailing yacht Panaceas progress along the South Coast, as a precaution, in cooperation with MRCC, Telkom Maritime Radio Services broadcast an all ships alert, for vessels in the area and vessels passing through the area of the South Coast, between False Bay and Mossel Bay, to keep a watch and to report any sightings of the sailing yacht and her solo sailor to MRCC.
NSRI rescue stations, between False Bay and Mossel Bay, were alerted to keep a vigil for sailing yacht Panacea.
On Friday when the motor vessel Bulk Carrier ‘SOLIN’ spotted the sailing yacht appearing to be adrift and appearing to be unmanned they notified MRCC.
MRCC diverted the motor vessel Tanker ‘FROM CLIPPER’ to rendezvous with the sailing yacht.
The motor vessel Tanker ‘FROM CLIPPER’ rendezvoused with the sailing yacht where photo’s of the yacht were obtained but no life onboard could be determined.
By late afternoon and facing heavy sea conditions it was deemed no longer safe for the motor vessel Tanker ‘FROM CLIPPER’ to remain on scene she was released by MRCC to continue on her voyage while additional plans were being actioned.
Facing unknown possibilities and unable establish whether there was life onboard the sailing yacht (that may be in need of urgent assistance) MRCC requested the NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) to activate NSRI Hermanus.
The NSRI Hermanus rescue craft ‘THE LEGACY’ was tasked to locate and attempt to confirm safety of life onboard the yacht.
A South African Air Force (SAAF) 22 Squadron Oryx helicopter, with NSRI Airborne Sea Rescue crew, was placed on alert by MRCC.
NSRI Hermanus duty crew launched the sea rescue craft ‘THE LEGACY’ arriving in the search area at around 21h30.
The NSRI Hermanus rescue craft was assisted in the search operation by the vessel ‘LADY GLUTEN’.
The search operation was hampered by extremely rough sea conditions and in the early hours of Saturday morning, after finding no sign of the sailing yacht, the search was suspended.
NSRI Hermanus rescue craft sheltered in Stilbaai until day break and then searched along the coastline during her return to Hermanus arriving at base at midday.
The search area had changed after winds shifted to onshore during Saturday morning.
On Saturday midday, with weather conditions improving marginally, MRCC dispatched a SAAF 22 Squadron Oryx helicopter, with NSRI Airborne Sea Rescue crew, to continue in the ongoing search operation.
Telkom Maritime Radio Services are monitoring radio communications during the SAAF helicopter search operation. NSRI Stilbaai and NSRI Agulhas are on alert during the helicopter search.
Telkom Maritime Radio Services continue to broadcast an all ships alert.
The missing solo sailor has been located deceased on his yacht adrift at sea:
The massive search operation for a 60 year old solo sailor from Mossel Bay ended on Saturday afternoon after an SA Air Force 22 squadron Oryx helicopter located the yacht approximately 30 nautical miles South South West of Stilbaai on the South Coast.
An NSRI Airborne rescue swimmer was deployed from the helicopter into the sea, he swam to and boarded the yacht where he found the sailor deceased below decks.
With limited aviation fuel remaining the rescue swimmer placed a signalling beacon on the yacht before being recovered into the helicopter and they returned to base.
An operation by authorities and the SA Police Services is underway to safely recover the body from the yacht and to safely recover the yacht.
Family of the deceased man has respectfully requested privacy in their time of grieving the sad loss of their loved one.
On Saturday afternoon, after the body of the solo sailor was located onboard the sailing yacht adrift at sea arrangements were prepared for the yacht to be towed to Stilbaai where Police Detectives would board the yacht and recover the body of the sailor in cooperation with WC Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
The yacht was found to have sustained some damage.
While NSRI Stilbaai were towing the yacht towards Stilbaai weather conditions deteriorated and the tow was released.
Further arrangements were made for NSRI Mossel Bay to respond in the early hours of Sunday, 21 August, to establish a towline and tow the yacht to Mossel Bay.
NSRI Mossel Bay took up a tow of the yacht and while towing the yacht towards Mossel Bay the yacht took on water and sunk approximately 12 nautical miles from Mossel Bay.
The SA Police Services and the Police Dive Unit are assessing the possibility of recovering the body of the sailor from the sunken yacht.
Family has been informed by the authorities and thoughts remain with the family in this difficult time.
UPDATE 23 August 2022:
On Saturday afternoon, after the body of Darrol Hansen, 60, from Mossel Bay, was located onboard his sailing yacht Panacea adrift at sea, NSRI were requested by authorities to assist to tow the yacht to shelter in Stilbaai where investigations could be initiated and the body of the deceased recovered.
NSRI were requested by authorities to not breach the cabin (not to disturb the cabin or the body of deceased man) in order for a formal investigation to be conducted onboard the yacht on her arrival in the shelter of Stilbaai.
NSRI Stilbaai duty crew dispatched the sea rescue craft Breede Rescuer and on arrival on the scene, approximately 30 nautical miles South South East of Stilbaai, in foul weather conditions, the yacht was found to have sustained some water intake and damage.
A towline was established and while towing the yacht towards Stilbaai weather conditions deteriorated and the tow was released.
The AIS beacon (Automatic Identification Signal), the personal AIS beacon of the NSRI Airborne Sea Rescue rescue officer, who had been deployed to the yacht from the SAAF 22 Squadron Oryx helicopter earlier, which is a ‘man overboard beacon’ that the NSRI rescue officer had placed on the yacht to assist with locating the yacht remained secure on the yacht.
Later on Saturday evening NSRI Mossel Bay were requested, by authorities, to respond, during the early hours of Sunday morning, 21 August, to attempt to recover sailing yacht Panacea to Mossel Bay.
Authorities requested that the cabin was not to be breached or disturbed to allow for formal investigations to be launched on the yachts arrival at Mossel Bay Harbour.
NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew launched the NSRI deep sea rescue craft Spirit of Safmarine III, at 03h00, on Sunday, and arrived on the scene, 60 nautical miles from Mossel Bay, during Sunday morning.
The yacht was found to have sustained significant water intake.
NSRI Mossel Bay set up a water extrication pump, established a towline and initiated towing the sailing yacht towards Mossel Bay.
While towing the yacht towards Mossel Bay additional water flooded the yacht.
NSRI Mossel Bay dispatched the sea rescue craft St Blaze Rescuer with an additional water extrication pump.
12 nautical miles from Mossel Bay, at a water depth of 59 meters, 3 NSRI rescue swimmers onboard the yacht worked tirelessly to pump water out of the yacht in efforts to retain her buoyancy despite the risks of the listing and flooding vessel.
Sadly before the second water extrication pump could be deployed the yacht sunk.
NSRI members, who have known the family for many years, have paid tribute to the life of Darrol Hansen.
NSRI, the maritime rescue resources and the maritime fraternity involved in this operation have sent Condolences to the family.
Family has thanked NSRI, SAAF 22 Squadron, MRCC, Telkom Maritime Radio Services and the ships that diverted from their sea voyages to assist, for the extensive search efforts that located the missing yacht and their loved one.
Authorities are assessing the possibilities to locate the sunken yacht and the possible recovery of the body.
The family remains in our care and our thoughts are with the family and his friends during this time of celebration of Darrol’s life.
NSRI thanks the public members who contributed with information and the immense support we have received during and following this massive search and rescue operation.
Our thanks are expressed to Saldanha Bay Yacht Club and Royal Cape Yacht Club for their assistance with information during the search operation.
NSRI commends our volunteers from stations 31 Stilbaai, 15 Mossel Bay, 29 Airborne Sea Rescue, 17 Hermanus, NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), NSRI Headquarters, all of the maritime rescue services that contributed, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, MRCC, SA Air Force, Transnet National Ports Authority, SA Police Services and the passing ships, who diverted from their voyages, for their contributions in this operation.
Cape Town Lens: shop assistant, Two Oceans Aquarium