Coordinated rescue operation re-floats unmanned yacht in Simon’s Town
NSRI crews re-floated an unmanned yacht that broke free in strong winds and grounded at Long Beach, Simon’s Town.
Image: File
An unmanned 50-foot sailing yacht that broke free from her moorings in strong winds was successfully re-floated and secured during a coordinated rescue operation in Simon’s Town on Monday evening.
The incident unfolded at around 4.50pm when the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Station 10 duty crew were alerted to reports of a local sailing vessel adrift and at risk of grounding on rocks.
NSRI Simon’s Town station commander Darren Zimmerman said the vessel had broken her moorings unexpectedly in winds of around 35 knots, with gusts exceeding 40 knots.
“It was established that no lives were in any danger, with the sailing yacht being unmanned at the time that she broke her moorings,” Zimmerman said.
The NSRI coordinated with False Bay Yacht Club management and the yacht’s manager while preparing a response. Rescue crews were placed on standby and a rescue craft readied for launch.
By the time responders arrived, the yacht had gently grounded on the shoreline at Long Beach.
A decision was taken, in consultation with the vessel’s management, to attempt a refloat operation timed with the approaching spring high tide.
The NSRI rescue craft, Donna Nicholas, was launched, while rescue swimmers were deployed from the shore.
Rescuers anchored offshore and established a towline between the rescue craft and the grounded yacht. As the high tide peaked, the towline was gradually tensioned.
“With the towline extended to the length, our coxswain gradually shifted the towline weight until the sailing yacht nudged off a shallow ledge and she was safely re-floated without damage to her hull,” Zimmerman said.
Rescue swimmers remained on board the vessel as it was towed to deeper water, where it was secured at emergency moorings at the False Bay Yacht Club without incident.
Despite the challenging weather conditions, the operation was completed successfully by 7.34pm.
Zimmerman commended the swift and coordinated response, noting that crews had acted quickly to take advantage of the incoming spring high tide.
The yacht’s owner and management team are expected to reassess conditions and return the vessel to its original moorings once winds subside.