ICG rescues 2 South Africans off Kavaratti Island, Lakshadweep

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) rescued two South African nationals, off Kavaratti Island, Lakshadweep after their yacht suffered total power failure, an official said today.

The chartered sail yacht was on its maiden voyage from Port Victoria (Seychelles) to Abu Dhabi (UAE).

Following the distress call given by the sailors, an ICG ship located their yacht at around 1.30 am on August 4 about 25 km south east of Kavaratti Island. The two members were today brought to the land in Goa, the official said.

"Both the foreigners- Gavin Stephen (25) and Marnu Christoff (21)- were brought to Mormugao Port Trust and are in good health. The yacht had encountered bad weather and was sinking when both of them gave a distress call," Deputy Inspector General of Indian Coast Guard Manoj Baadkar told reporters at Vasco today.
 

"The France-made sail yacht, which was chartered, was on its maiden voyage from Port Victoria (Seychelles) to Abu Dhabi (UAE). The vessel preferred to change its route via KavarattiIsland to stay away from any possible attack by pirates," he said.

"However, during the passage it encountered rough weather on August 3 and total power and engine failure and was drifting near KavarattiIsland. Due to strong winds, measured over 100 kilometers per hour, and heavy swelling in the sea, both the crew members onboard feared for their lives," Baadkar said.

He said the Coast Guard District Headquarters at Kavaratti received a message from local Police regarding the sighting of an adrift sail yacht off Kavaratti.

"Immediately the Coast Guard ship- Samarth- patrolling in area was diverted to investigate," he stated.

ICG ship Samarth located the yacht at around 1.30 am on August 4, which was about 25 km South East of Kavaratti Island.

"The yacht had no communication and propulsion due to total power failure. Efforts to take the yacht under tow also proved futile due to heavy seas. With great difficulty, we managed to rescue both the crew members," he said.