Renewed hope for missing yacht

2005-09-25 18:03

Durban - An aircraft was on Sunday sent out to search the sea at a position 289 nautical miles off Durban after a yacht, which could possibly be the missing Moquini, was spotted in the area.

Another aircraft responsible for searching the area along the coast of Madagascar spotted the yacht while it was flying 39 000 feet above sea level, on its way to back to Durban.

"We sent out another aircraft to search because the area where the other yacht was spotted is in the direct runline which means in a straight line from the Moquini's last known position to Durban," said race organiser David Claxton.

In all three aircraft were involved in the private search for the missing yacht after the airforce called off its search last week.

Claxton said if it was the Moquini that was spotted it wasn't expected to arrive in Durban before Wednesday.

"If it is the Moquini and the crew is alright we would organise for them to get fresh supplies," Claxton said.

Crew members Sheldon Dickerson, his second cousin Mark Dickerson, skipper Graham Cochrane, Neil Tocknell, Kurt Ostendorf and teenager Michael Goolam last communicated with race organisers almost two weeks ago.

However, Sheldon's mom, Angie Dickerson was still positive that they were okay.

"My champagne is still in my boot although I've not put it on ice yet," she said.

Dickerson said the expertise of the crew gave her the confidence to believe that her son and his fellow crew members were alright.

Last week she said Sheldon would return home and ask them what the fuss was all about.

- SAPA