The NSRI rescued two men after witnesses alerted them to their plight when their rubber duck was blown out to sea off Pringle Bay by strong off-shore winds on Saturday.
When the NSRI was alerted, the rubber duck had already been blown 400m off-shore.
NSRI Gordon’s Bay volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched sea rescue craft and Hermanus volunteer sea rescue duty crew responded.
A local Pringle Bay resident Roger Parsons, watching the drama unfolding from his balcony and using a telescope to keep tabs on the casualty craft, kept the responding resources informed about the whereabouts of the craft.
The helicopter dropped a rescue swimmer into the ocean and they were all hoisted back into the helicopter.
Both men were treated for mild hypothermia but they required no further medical attention.
The men’s red 5m rubber duck remains adrift at sea and navigational warnings are being posted by Maritime Radio Services warning vessels in the area to keep a lookout for the navigational hazard.
The NSRI appeals to anyone coming across the boat to report its whereabouts to sea rescue authorities.
The boat is expected to eventually run aground along the False Bay coast.
It appealed to anyone launching any kind of craft to wear lifejackets while their boat is underway and to carry safety equipment.
[SAPA]
