“At 10h00 on Sunday 27 May, NSRI Simonstown volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following a request for assistance from Terry McMann and his girlfriend onboard his yacht Libertas reporting to have lost the yachts rudder control 1.5 nautical miles East of Roman Rock lighthouse on the False Bay Coast and requiring a tow.
“Our NSRI volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched our sea rescue craft Spirit of Safmarine III and Eddie Beaumont II and on arrival on-scene the yacht was taken under tow and towed to Simonstown’s False Bay Yacht Club and once the yacht was safely berthed no further assistance was required.
“Then at 17h00 on Sunday 27 May, NSRI Simonstown volunteer sea rescue duty crew were placed on alert following a report from yacht club members at False Bay Yacht Club who reported that they had dropped three yacht club members off in Gordons Bay earlier in the day who planned to sail their 26 foot sailing boat Kayo across False Bay, from Gordons Bay to Simonstown, departing at 10h00 and estimated arrival time at 17h00 but they had not arrived in Simonstown as scheduled and attempts to contact them had failed.
“The 3 sailors are Skipper Sean Poole, and crew Graham Heslop and Gareth Meggs, all aged in their early 20’s and locals.
“When still no contact had been made with the yacht by 18h00, fearing that the 3 men were in trouble, NSRI Simonstown prepared to launch our sea rescue craft and NSRI Gordons Bay volunteer sea rescue duty crew and the Western Cape Government Health EMS Skymed helicopter were activated and NSRI Strandfontein volunteer sea rescue duty crew were placed on alert.
“Sea Rescue Coast Watchers were alerted along the False Bay Coast to act as spotters from elevated positions but no sign of the yacht could be seen.
“Following a brief search the Skymed helicopter found the yacht near to Seal Island, appearing to be sailing along fine, and the rescue helicopter ‘buzzed’ them a few times and only then realizing that a search had been launched for them the men turned on their cellphones and we were able to get into contact with them and they reported that all was in order, they weren’t in any difficulty, and they were heading towards Simonstown expecting to arrive in an hour.
“Then at 19h00, after sunset, the men called to say that they were approaching Simonstown but needed directions as they were unsure of the approach into Simonstown harbour so our NSRI Simonstown volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched our sea rescue craft Spirit of Safmarine III and they were guided to the False Bay Yacht Club under the escort of our sea rescue craft and once safely berthed they required no further assistance.”
