At 03h30 NSRI Port Elizabeth volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following a request from assistance from 6 men on a rigid inflatable rubber duck reporting to have engine failure near Bird Island.
NSRI Port Elizabeth volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched two sea rescue craft, Spirit of Toft and Eikos Rescuer IV, and responded to the scene arriving on-scene just after 05h00 in 3 foot swells and generally calm sea conditions and the 6 men were taken onboard our sea rescue craft and our NSRI craft have their casualty boat under tow. No injuries are reported.
The rescue effort then, during the return trip back towards Port Elizabeth, encountered an increasing sea state with sea swells up to 3 meters, which has slowed down the return trip, and both rescue craft, and the casualty craft (under tow), are currently making just under 9 knots speed, and are expected to arrive at our sea rescue base in Port Elizabeth at approximately between 08h30 and 09h00 this morning.
It is unknown what the 6 men were doing at the time.
Editors Notes: But I have a pretty good idea what 6 crazy guys would be doing in the middle of the night in the freezing cold and rain! Maybe the men in blue should pop on down to make sure that the occupants of the Rubber Duck are alright?
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Alan Straton
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Update: Rescue boats are expected to arrive in Port Elizabeth Harbour, NSRI sea rescue base at 08h00. – Vote in our poll above.