Solo Sailor Missing After Requesting Assistance in Rough Seas off East London MyZA

Geoff McGregor, NSRI East London station commander, said; “During mid afternoon on Saturday 25th 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.

“Sea swells at the time were rough 7 to 8 meter swells and very strong winds.

“Due to the very large and rough sea conditions no rescue operation was immediately launched as the male had requested only assistance and he was not declaring a full-blown emergency distress.

“NSRI East London were placed on high alert and an NSRI Air Sea Rescue team were placed on alert with the AV8 helicopter company (East London) and with the SA Air Force 15 Squadron, Charlie Flight, (Port Elizabeth), while Maritime Radio Services continued to monitor communications and the position of the yacht via VHF Radio communications and satellite telephone.

“At approximately 05h00 this morning, Sunday 26th June, 2011, no further communications could be reached with the yacht and at 07h00, with sea and weather conditions having subsided considerably, a fixed wing aircraft and NSRI East London’s deep-sea rescue craft Spirit of Lotto was dispatched to search for the yacht.

“No sign of the yacht and the solo sailor has been found and vessels along the coast have been requested to keep a look-out and NSRI coast watchers along the coast are keeping watch.

“Efforts are continuing to attempt to raise the yacht on communications.”