Two yachters saved by sea rescue workers at Durban port

Two men aboard a 12m yacht were rescued by sea rescue workers after their vessel beached on a sand bank at the Durban port on Tuesday night.

National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) official Roy Wienand said Transnet National Ports Authority requested assistance after receiving a report that the yacht had drifted and beached on a shallow sand bank close to the port channel.

"The sea rescue craft Eikos Rescuer II was launched and found the yacht beached in an outgoing tide and keeling over against the tide.

"A towline was rigged and we pulled the yacht to deeper water and then towed her safely into port to her moorings," Wienand said.

"It appears the yacht had suffered motor failure as she entered port, causing her to gently drift onto shallow sand banks and ground."