Sailor (70) resupplied after 74 days at sea

by SABC News on 25 Sep 2005 Overdue 70-year-old solo sailor was found off South Africa’s Saldanha Bay 74 days into a passage to Cape Town. The South African National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has said. John Ross was on a solo-sailing mission from Gibraltar to Cape Town when his boat, ‘A for Away’ suffered damage to its boom and rigging.

Craig Lambinon, a NSRI spokesperson, said Ross had also ran out of fuel and short of water and food during a longer-than-expected 74-day crossing as a result of lengthy calm patches that slowed his progress. A boat was dispatched from NSRI Mykanos to assist and take the elderly sailor food and water.

‘John is in good health and good spirit but clearly relieved to get help and much needed supplies,’ said Judy van Zyl, a station commander, who was on the boat that took out the supplies. She said despite a storm heading towards Cape Town, Ross was adamant that he wants to continue with his mission and try and reach the Cape Town harbour by himself.

The NSRI said a craft from Table Bay will rendezvous with Ross off Robben Island and accompany him to the Royal Cape Yacht Club.

Valerie, his wife, still in Wiltshire in Britain, has been that informed her husband is well.