Fiji cyclone Tomas claims yacht- Cruise ship heroes save yacht's crew

by Des Ryan on 20 Mar 2010 While Cyclone Tomas was ravagiing Fiji this week, crew members of a local cruise ship were battling 125 knot winds and raging seas to save the owner of a capsized yacht trapped below deck.

The Tui Tai had taken shelter and was riding out the cyclone at Viani Bay in southeastern Vanua Levu at 5pm on Tuesday when it received a distress call from the yacht, Sa Siga Na Vanua, a Hunter 41 normally sailed by Barry and Barbara Holloway, whose home port is currently Taveuni.

Tui Tai owner Tige Young said the caller identified himself as a crew member of the Siga Na Vanua and reported the vessel had capsized after hitting a reef and the owner was trapped in a cabin below deck and would soon drown.

The yacht was three miles from the Tui Tai and both vessels were less than 30 miles from the eye of the cyclone.

Tui Tai captain Angus Hill dispatched a small tender boat with four crew members to attempt a rescue. They found the distressed yacht three miles away, rapidly taking on water.

The Tui Tai crew boarded the yacht, ripped the doors down and pried open an escape route for the yacht owner, Barry Holloway, who was bleeding from injuries sustained as the yacht tumbled over reef and sand.

Crew of the yacht and the rescue party motored back to the Tui Tai and to safety. The Sa Siga ni Vanua crew were given first-aid, blankets, food and water aboard the Tui Tai, where they remained for the rest of the cyclone.

Mr Young commented: 'I don't think it's possible to truly understand the courage displayed during the rescue. That crew could safely and successfully locate the yacht was an amazing feat of seamanship, given the strength of the winds and horrible sea conditions. That they were able to save lives is a testament not only of their bravery, but also to their sense of duty to help those in need.'