GEO EXPLORER

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Alert crew assisted troubled single hand sailor

In the afternoon of June 11, 2018, a small sailboat was noticed near the sea dike, 1500 meters west of the approach of Eemshaven by the crew of the "Geo Explorer". The only crew member that was on board stood in the water beside the boat and tried to pull it towards deeper water again. Because of the onshore wind the boat was pushed further to the shore. The crew of the "Geo Explorer" did not trust the situation and informed the Port Authority. The port service contacted the KRNM, and after a short consultation it was decided to deploy the lifeboat "Jan en Titia Visser" at 5.50 p.m. Meanwhile, the "Geo Explorer" kept an eye on the boat of six meters which floated in shallow water near the dike. When the lifeboat arrived a few minutes later, the man was already approaching it through the water. The attempt to atttach a towing line did not work. The man then tried to bring his boat on his own to deeper water. He succeeded and anchored the boat in deeper water. At that time, there was basically no more need for assistance and with the rising water he could continue sailing. The lifeboat stayed in the vicinity of the boat for a while which was good, because it turned out that the man was unable to get back on board of his boat. A crew member of the lifeboat was dropped off and helped the man back on board. He was advisedto enter the port of Eemshaven under supervision if the KNRM. The man agreed and sailed into the harbor. Once in port, he got into trouble again near the floating jetty. The lifeboat crew decided to transfer a line to get him the last bit to the jetty. When they had moored the boat to the floating jetty and the data had been recorded, they returned to the rescue station. Dutch report with photos: https://www.knrm.nl/nieuws/knrm-reddingstation-eemshaven/zeilbootje-en-bemanningslid-in-veiligheid-gebracht