NSRI rescues British yachtsman

WITH the 82 year-old solo sailor too weak to secure the tow line to his stricken yacht, an NSRI crew member bravely dived into the turbulent sea to do the job during a dramatic sea rescue on Friday.

This as NSRI Station 19 responded in typical dedication to successfully complete a 12-hour rescue mission in wind speeds of over 50 knots and ‘washing machine’ swells that reached eight metres at the height of Friday’s cloudburst storm conditions.

British yachtsman Mike Bickell reported his struggle to make headway into the gale at 10.30am, the distress message being relayed via a passing vessel and the Transnet National Ports Authority.

The gale threatened to blow his 34-foot craft SV Alchemi onto the rocks at Dawson’s Beach, 15 nautical miles north of Richards Bay after it had suffered steering and sail damage.

Station Commander Dorian Robertson and the NSRI volunteer duty crew responded aboard ‘Spirit of Richards Bay’ and reached the stricken yacht within an hour.

With the exhausted casualty not able to reach the tow line, NSRI rescue swimmer Hillegard Holtzhausen was deployed into the raging surf and swam to the yacht.

After securing the line, Holtzhausen remained with Bickell during the tough tow home, directly into the violent southwester and huge swells, at times making only a two-knot headway.

Safely moored at the Tuzi Gazi yacht basin after 10pm, Bickell was full of praise for those who aided him, particularly Holtzhausen – ‘my James Bond’ – and the Sea Rescue team.

Mike, who was en route from Reunion, will repair his yacht in Richards Bay before continuing his voyage.