This took place, in a 30 to 40 knot North Westerly wind off Simonstown. The conditions were very rough and it was very cold.
The NSRI Simonstown sea rescue duty crew launched their sea rescue craft SPIRIT OF SAFMARINE III and responded.
The SA Navy yacht AMOYO, in the area at the time following the yacht regatta, took the JML I under tow after reaching them having been blown out to sea 2 nautical miles East of Roman Rock Lighthouse, and with no control of their yacht.
The SA Navy yacht Amoyo then suffered an overheated motor while towing JML I and when NSRI’s sea rescue craft arrived on-scene they took over the towing of the Bishops yacht JML I.
The mainsail remained wrapped around the forestay making the connection of the towline difficult). The Navy yacht returned to harbour without assistance.
JML I was towed craft safely into the harbour without incident, none of the 6 Bishops Diocesan College learners were injured, and volunteer NSRI medics were then called to assist at the False Bay Yacht Club where two of the Knysna sailing team’s female teenagers required medical assistance.
Sage van Aard was taken to hospital in hyper- thermic shock at the end of the day’s racing, having insufficient protective heavy weather gear.
Ashleigh Hellstrom was taken to Constantiaberg Hospital where she underwent tests and x-rays for a suspected hip/pelvic fracture after falling badly on the wet deck of the Knysna Yacht.
She was discharged the same evening, bruised and sore but otherwise fine. The girls are up, eager and ready to sail again.
The Knysna Yacht Club with the junior crew under skipper John Young are lying 10th at the start of the final day’s racing Friday.
The Knysna junior team under skipper John Young battling heavy conditions on day 3 of the Lipton Cup.
Source: Seacadet
