PORT ELIZABETH - FATHER & SON PADDLERS RESCUED OFF HOBIE BEACH

At 13h11 on Sunday the 26th of February, NSRI
received a call from Mrs Meier reporting that Wian Meier, 21, and Ewald Meier, 53, (her husband and her son), from Port Elizabeth, who had gone fishing on 2 kayaks at 10h30, launching at Hobie Beach, Port Elizabeth were in trouble in the vicinity off-shore of Hobie Beach.

It appears, according to their report, that at about 12h30, while paddling and fishing, Ewald had realised that his sea-kayak was taking on water (later found to be the water bung had been lost from unknown causes).

His kayak foundered in the water and he ended up in the water.

Wian phoned his mom to raise the alarm and his mom alerted sea rescue.

NSRI Port Elizabeth duty crew launched the sea rescue craft Eikos Rescuer IV.

The yacht Odalisque, skippered by owner Roger Cadey, with 3 crew on board (one of which was our off duty NSRI Station 6 radio operator Hiedren Wasserman). The yacht happened to be in the vicinity at the time and they spotted a kayak that seemed to be in difficulty – as they changed direction to sail closer to investigate they then spotted a paddle waving (indicating that the people at the kayak were signalling for help) – they sailed close to the kayaks making a pass and they threw their “Man Overboard” (MOB) life ring and were able to rescue Ewald onto their yacht. They then made a second pass and took Wian onboard their yacht.

Both father and son had been in the water for about 30 minutes close to the Bell Buoy nearly 1 nautical mile out to sea.

The sea rescue craft arrived on the scene and picked up the two kayaks.

Both casualties had initially elected to stay on yacht where the dad was given a jacket by yacht crew to help him to rewarm.

The sea rescue craft took their paddle boards back to shore but we were re-called to the yacht after it was found that Ewald was suffering from hypothermia and we took both casualties off the yacht and brought them to our sea rescue base where they were reunited with family while we rewarmed them and after rewarming they required no further assistance.

The skipper and his crew on the yacht Odalisque for were commended for assisting.

VIA - nsri