NSRI
The National Sea Rescue Institute in East London activated a duty crew on Friday following a request for assistance from a yacht that had been taking on water approximately three nautical miles off-shore of Cape Morgan in the Transkei.
Spokesperson, Craig Lambinon says the yacht, Majimoto was returning to Durban from East London after taking part in the 2021 Vasco da Gama Ocean Race with three men and two women from Durban aboard.
He says on arrival on the scene, about 2.5 nautical miles off-shore of Cape Morgan, in 50 knots South Westerly winds and 8-meter swells, it was determined that the yacht's rudder had broken off in the rough seas and was adrift, gradually heading towards the shoreline, and unable to navigate.
Lambinon says all efforts to tow the yacht proved impossible in the conditions and a decision was made by the skipper to abandon it.
The yacht's crew deployed a life raft and all five were recovered onto the sea rescue craft.
Lambinon says none of the casualty crew was injured and no medical assistance was required.
He says the yacht ran aground north of the Kei River Mouth on Saturday morning.
