NSRI men rescue stranded yachtsman

The solo yachtsman, who sent a May Day call to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) early on Sunday, is in a stable condition on a rescue boat having been treated for a dislocated shoulder.

NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said his 12m 10 ton yacht, the Silb, was being towed to the Victoria and Albert Waterfront and was expected to arrive between 11.45am and 12.30pm.

"He must be sent to hospital," said Lambion, adding that it had appeared that the sailor had experienced double trouble in that his inboard motor had also been out of order when he called from near Dassen Island, about 10 nautical miles off Cape Town.

The Silb is registered in Bremen, Germany, and last docked at Salvador in Brazil.

It is believed that the sailor plans to head for New Zealand after South Africa.

Sailor in hospital after ordeal
The solo round-the-world yachtsman rescued near Dassen Island on Sunday was transferred to Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital on arrival at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town.

National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesperson Craig Lambinon said Rudolf Huber, 66, was in a stable condition. He had an injured - and not a dislocated - shoulder.

Paramedics had treated him on board one of the two rescue boats sent out at 07:00.

The sailor made a May Day call 10 nautical miles off Cape Town on Sunday morning. Besides his injury, the inboard motor of his craft was also not working.

Lambinon said the operation started off amid 35-knot south-westerly winds and three metre swells.

"Things got better closer to Cape Town, especially after passing Robben Island," he said.

Huber's vessel, the 12-metre, 10-ton yacht named "Silb" is registered in Bremen, Germany, and last docked at Salvador in Brazil.

Huber apparently heads to New Zealand after South Africa.