Call for Vaal Dam

The Station 22 Rescue boat, Harveys Fibreglass.

On the 11th February at 15:00, the station 22, Vaal Dam volunteers were called to assist Hilton and Michaela Petersen who were towing their Elf 26 from Waterhaven to Deneysville, a distance of approximately 26km.

The Elf 26′s motor had been stolen which is why they were towing the boat in the first place.

Their ski-boat ran out of petrol close to Confluence. Michaela dropped the tow to the Elf 26 and proceeded to Bayshore Marina to refuel but then realised that there was a problem with her motor as she was unable to increase her revs.

She called Dick Manten, Vaal Dam station commander at 17:35 reporting her situation and the difficulties experienced and he advised her to make way slowly to Bayshore Marina and that NSRI would go out to Hilton on the Elf 26.

The Rescue 5.5m rescue boat Harvey’s Fibreglass was launched and proceeded to the casualty who had unfurled his genoa by this time.

He was however shorthanded. The NSRI crew transferred Hilton to the rescue boat and two NSRI crew members took over the helm of the Elf Cat.

Harvey’s Fibreglass then proceeded to Bayshore with Mr Peterson where he and his wife managed to organise a lift to take them back to Waterhaven.

Once Mr Peterson had disembarked, Harvey’s Fibreglass picked up the tow with the Elf Cat and towed it back to Deneysville.

- NSRI