Two sailors who ventured into the sea at Gonubie Beach on their twin-hulled Hobie Cat despite lifeguard warnings not to, had to be rescued when their mast snapped and they floundered beyond the backline of the surf on Saturday morning.
On Friday, NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon warned water users to be extra vigilant due to unusual sea conditions owing to the effects of the combined “cosmic events” the equinox, a new “supermoon” and Friday’s solar eclipse seen only in the northern hemisphere.
The trio of space events caused stronger than usual rip currents and extraordinary low and high tides.
NRSI East London commander Geoff McGregor said their duty crew had been activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority following lifeguard reports that Malibu rescue boards were being launched to assist two men on a Hobie Cat in difficulty off-shore.
McGregor said lifeguards had earlier appealed to the men not to launch their craft due to strong rip currents. He said it appeared there may not have been any safety equipment or life jackets on board.
He said NRSI East London deployed their rescue runner jet-ski which launched at Gonubie.
“On arrival on-scene just behind the breakers, local sailors, a 22-year-old male and a 21-year-old male were being assisted by lifeguards on Malibu rescue boards.”
McGregor said the lifeguards were ensuring the catamaran did not drift into the surf line. The sailors were unharmed, but their sail mast was broken, he said.
“The NSRI towed them safely to shore with the damaged Hobie Cat and assisted them to get it back onto her trailer.”
“It was not clear what caused the mast to break.”
The SA Maritime Safety Authority will investigate the incident, McGregor said.
Lambinon declined to name the men. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
Two saved in Hobie Cat rescue
On Friday, NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon warned water users to be extra vigilant due to unusual sea conditions owing to the effects of the combined “cosmic events” the equinox, a new “supermoon” and Friday’s solar eclipse seen only in the northern hemisphere.
The trio of space events caused stronger than usual rip currents and extraordinary low and high tides.
NRSI East London commander Geoff McGregor said their duty crew had been activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority following lifeguard reports that Malibu rescue boards were being launched to assist two men on a Hobie Cat in difficulty off-shore.
McGregor said lifeguards had earlier appealed to the men not to launch their craft due to strong rip currents. He said it appeared there may not have been any safety equipment or life jackets on board.
He said NRSI East London deployed their rescue runner jet-ski which launched at Gonubie.
“On arrival on-scene just behind the breakers, local sailors, a 22-year-old male and a 21-year-old male were being assisted by lifeguards on Malibu rescue boards.”
McGregor said the lifeguards were ensuring the catamaran did not drift into the surf line. The sailors were unharmed, but their sail mast was broken, he said.
“The NSRI towed them safely to shore with the damaged Hobie Cat and assisted them to get it back onto her trailer.”
“It was not clear what caused the mast to break.”
The SA Maritime Safety Authority will investigate the incident, McGregor said.
Lambinon declined to name the men. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
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