The award ceremony took place in London on 26 November. Coxswain Adrian (Attie) Gunter, Quentin Diener and Leon Pretorius were nominated by South-Africa NSRI for the risky search and rescue operation. The search and rescue took place on 15 June 2011 in dangerous weather conditions. The three crewmen received certificates of commendation in recognition of meritorious service rendered.
Capsized yacht:
The Gulliver was capsized by a wind squall offshore of Cape Infanta on 15 June 2011 carrying a crew of four, skipper Greg West (60) and crew Frans Sprung (76), Shaun Kennedy (34) and Mike Morek. They were sailing from Port Owen to Knysna and were attempting to outrun the weather, trying to reach Mossel Bay.
Unfortunately, the weather arrived some 8 hours ahead of prediction. The three crewmen of NSRI Station 33 volunteered to face the weather and sea conditions to find and assist the crew of Gulliver after having received a request from Stilbaai NSRI, who had been alerted by the Marine Rescue Coordination centre (MRCC). They faced the dark night, in gale force weather conditions (and also the moon, which went into eclipse shortly after lunch) and with a brown river their ability was seriously hindered to spot sandbanks or other obstacles. The exit through the shallow bar and large waves was achieved using hand held flares ignited by those on the boat.
Against all odds, in a small boat and severe weather conditions they persisted with the task at hand. In reaching the search area at some 28km from the base, they could at first not find the vessel. They then tried to get a response from the Gulliver by using the rest of their illumination flares.
They eventually sighted a small object, which turned out to be the emergency life raft attached to the large yacht which was completely capsized, but still floating. Communications between the Queenie Paine and all her base was completely lost, (although she could communicate with Cape Town radio). It was nearly an hour and half before contact was re-established with the base.
The NSRI volunteers were thankful that the members of the capsized yacht were in the life raft, attached to the capsized yacht but still had to deal with transferring them into the rescue boat. All four were suffering from various stages of hypothermia and minor, but painful injuries. After the rescue the capsized yacht remained adrift on the ocean and Maritime Navigational warnings remained in place.
Recognized service:
Subsequent to the rescue of the Gulliver, the NSRI recognized the service of these young men with official Bravery Awards. The rescued crew of Gulliver donated three radio headsets to the Station 33 in Witsand.
Leon Pretorius, Quentin Diener and Coxswain Adrian (Attie) Gunter were nominated by South-Africa NSRI for the risky search and rescue operation to receive a meritoriius award at a prestigious event in London. Photo: Andrew Ingram.
