Model helps save tourists
2007-11-07 09:16
Cape Town - Former Springbok Rob Louw's daughter Roxy, who has made a name for herself as a professional surfer and model, was at the right place, right time on Tuesday afternoon to help save passengers from a sinking tour boat.
Craig Lambinon of the National Sea Rescue Institute said the boat unexpectedly started sinking about 400m from Clifton's 2nd Beach.
He said the crew had summoned help when they realised the boat was going down.
The five passengers had been taken on a trip round Robben Island by three crewmen from the Waterfront Boat Company, which undertakes cruises from the V&A Waterfront.
Engine stalled
On the way back, they put down anchor at the rocks near the beach.
The passengers moved to the one side of the boat so that they could climb onto the rocks. Apparently the engine stalled and the boat began to sink.
Rescue services and the Metro Red Cross AMS helicopter were summoned to the scene.
Louw, who was standing on her balcony at the time, saw the people struggling in the water.
"I thought it was a whale. I jumped into my wetsuit and ran. I got quite a fright when I saw the people."
Roxy, two lifesavers, and other people on the beach helped to get the passengers safely to shore.
The passengers were visibly shocked, although inclined to occasional fits of hysterical giggling.
Justin Watt, 27, and his wife Cara, 24, of Johannesburg, were on the boat.
Cara said although they'd lost the possessions they had on board, they were very grateful to be alive.
"The boat started to sink and we had to swim. The rescue service people were fantastic. The surfer also helped us to swim to the beach."
Her husband joked that this was their last boat trip.
"The first time I got seasick and now this. We were planning to do a shark trip on Wednesday, but that's definitely off. I think we should rather go for a spa treatment. The water was ice cold."
The captain was too traumatised to comment.
Jane Evans and her son Josh, 11, of Cardiff, Wales, said it had been heartbreaking that something like that should happen at the end of their holiday in Cape Town.
"It's our last two days here, but at least the dinner table conversation's going to be very interesting tonight!"
Josh didn't say much, but he was very pleased that he had a lifejacket.
"I'm glad to be alive, even if I lost a shoe (in the process)."
Evans thought her son had been very brave: "He was brilliant."