DESPITE facing wild seas, engine failure and five metre swells, four seasoned yachtsmen were able to make it back to Richards Bay where they were towed to a safe mooring by the NSRI on Saturday morning.
Having left Richards Bay the day before en route to the Seychelles via Beira, the ‘Lilou’ ran head-on into a strong northerly wind close to St Lucia and was forced to turn turn around after being battered by the elements.
With no power and after losing one bow trampoline and some wooden deck slats, they sailed back without further incident.
‘At no stage did we consider ourselves in serious danger, but we had no choice than to return given the conditions and failed state of the engines,’ said crew member Marcel Delpech.
The crew expressed gratitude to Sea Rescue for their professional assistance.
