During mid afternoon on Saturday 25 June, 2011, NSRI East London were placed on alert by the Transnet National Ports Authority following a “Pan Pan” (a request for assistance) from a male solo sailor aboard his yacht So Long reporting to be experiencing some mechanical problems in very rough sea conditions some 12 nautical miles off-shore in the vicinity of the Kei River Mouth, (22 nautical miles North East of East London), on the Eastern Cape Coastline. (See: Solo Sailor Missing After Requesting Assistance in Rough Seas off East London)
A follow up search on 27 June, for 5.5 hours, by fixed wing aircraft revealed no further sign of Frenchman Adrien Rondel-Cellier, from St Martin, Guadeloupe, and at 17h00 the search was again suspended but just after 18h15 communications with the Frenchman was re-established following an email received from his satellite navigation phone to Maritime Rescue Authorities.
The message received states he is in good health and in no immediate need of assistance. He is lying 3 nautical miles off-shore of Kob Nqaba, in his yacht So Long, 47.5 nautical miles North East of East London.
Geoff McGregor, NSRI East London station commander said that NSRI East London will remain on high alert throughout the night and the Transnet National Ports Authority will remain in contact with the Frenchman until morning when a decision will be made as to what steps need to be taken to see him safely to East London.
At the time of hearing from Mr. Rondel Cellier our NSRI sea rescue craft Spirit of Lotto was preparing to return to sea to conduct a night search, said Geoff.
It is not clear at this stage what caused communications to be lost but we suspect there is some problem with the yacht So Long we are limiting communications at present in order to preserve any power (battery) on the yacht until we are absolutely sure of the yachtsman’s safety, said Geoff.
The NSRI remained in contact with Pascal, the father of Adrien Rondel-Cellier, through last night and today. He has been contacted by his son, at around the same time the email was received by rescue authorities, so at this moment everyone is satisfied that Adrien is okay.
It looks like he was further North than we expected, said Geoff.
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