Wednesday, February 19, 2025

January 30, 2025

Sailing Yachts Run Aground At Clifton 4th Beach

In the early hours of Wednesday, 29 January, the NSRI Bakoven and NSRI Table Bay duty crews sprang into action after reports of a sailing yacht running aground at Clifton 4th Beach.

[Image: NSRI]

In the early hours of Wednesday, 29 January, the NSRI Bakoven and NSRI Table Bay duty crews sprang into action after reports of a sailing yacht running aground at Clifton 4th Beach.

Luke van Riet, NSRI Bakoven duty coxswain, shared that the call came through at 04h19. Within minutes, it was confirmed that all passengers and crew aboard two local charter yachts were safe.

Despite calm seas, gusty winds had caused both vessels, anchored overnight at Clifton, to drag towards shore. One yacht, carrying three crew members, was found listing in shallow water. The second, with five crew onboard, managed to motor back into deeper waters and anchor safely.

The NSRI launched their rescue crafts, Gemini Legend and DHL Deliverer, while rescue swimmers were dispatched to the scene. Passengers from the grounded yacht—a pair of women—were transferred safely to the second yacht.

With two rescue swimmers onboard, the NSRI assisted the skipper of the grounded yacht in rigging a towline. The Gemini Legend towed the vessel back to deeper waters without incident. Shortly after, the DHL Deliverer arrived to escort both yachts to Granger Bay.

Both yachts were successfully berthed without damage, bringing the early morning drama to a calm and triumphant close.

This reminds us of that time when we ordered pizzas from Butlers Pizza to be delivered to the stricken Eihatsu Maru ship on Clifton Beach. and made the Wall Street Journal. Good times.

[Source: NSRI]