Last week we wanted to warn arriving international boats of 6 metre swells and 40 knot north easterly winds at entrance to Durban harbour. The harbour was closed due to dangerous sea conditions and we were aware that 3 yachts were on approach. RNYC Member Roy Cook wanted to warn these boats but was unable to reach them via email. He then went to one of the Oyster boats that had already docked in Durban Marina and had SAT phone ability to ask for their assistance. Unfortunately the boats at sea didn’t answer their phones. Roy then got in his car and drove up the coast to Umhlanga and used a hand-held VHF radio on channel 16 to call the boats. The Port Tower also responded to the call and all changed to channel 6 and managed to get the message through to the skippers of the dangers of entering the harbour.
The co-ordinator for the Oyster Fleet, Regine Watts, joined Roy Cook and they drove to the beachfront at Ushaka Marine where they instructed the skippers to line up with the fairway buoy and the sector lights and approach under power. All boats made a safe entry and Roy and Regine then drove back into harbour and directed them from one of the piers to safe anchorage within the harbour. Just goes to show that the old radio technology still has its place in the modern world.
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AuthorThe Royal Natal Yacht Club is the oldest yacht and sports Club in Africa and the oldest yacht club in the southern hemisphere. Read our Newsletter to find out more! Archives
February 2020
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