|
Elderly sailor rescued
24/09/2005 21:04 - (SA)
Cape Town - A 70-year-old solo sailor was rescued off Saldanha Bay after running into difficulties, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said on Saturday.
John Ross, 70, was on a solo-sailing mission from Gibraltar to Cape Town when his boat, A for Away suffered damage to its boom and rigging.
Craig Lambinon, NSRI spokesperson, said Ross had also ran out of fuel and he was short of water and food during a longer-than-expected 74-day crossing as a result of lengthy calm patches that slowed his progress.
A boat was dispatched from NSRI Mykonos to assist and take the elderly sailor food and water.
"John is in good health and good spirit but clearly relieved to get help and much needed supplies," said station commander Judy van Zyl who was on the boat that took out the supplies.
She said despite a storm heading towards Cape Town, Ross was adamant that he wanted to continue with his mission and try and reach the Cape Town harbour by himself.
The NSRI said a craft from Table Bay would rendezvous with Ross off Robben Island and accompany him to the Royal Cape Yacht Club.
His wife, Valerie, still in Wiltshire in Britain, was informed her husband was well.
- SAPA
|
News
