Mayday
Sea Rescue Station 19 at Richards Bay
responded when the 90-metre bulk carrier ‘MV
Shearwater’ issued a ‘Code Red’ distress
signal early Saturday morning, 13 miles off
St Lucia. The ship was taking in water and
reported an eight degree starboard list.
Richards Bay Port Control co-ordinated
rescue efforts which included despatching
two Oryx helicopters from Durban. The NSRI’s
‘Spirit of Richards Bay’ sped out to the
vessel, facing swells of eight metres and a
raging 50-knot southwesterly wind. The ship
was able to limp its way to Durban, arriving
on Sunday morning
