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| Reviewed By: Sands, Kirkham on 27th Oct 2006 |
| Cruise Line: Seabourn |
Times cruised before: 10+ |
| Cruise Ship: Seabourn Legend |
Sailed:
2001 |
| Destination: Africa |
Age: 65+ |
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FOR THOSE IN PERIL ON THE SEA
Never have the above words been brought home to us so vividly as our last trip from India and round Cape of Good Hope on board “Seabourn Sun”. We had just crossed the Equator and whilst we knew we were in cyclone territory we didn't expect too much trouble in the Indian Ocean in March and with the temperature at least 110F and lovely blue skies. However, upon setting sail from Durban a storm erupted - lightning like we've never seen before, no breaks between. Then for a day and night we endured a Force 9 gale. It was Easter weekend and services of all denominations were being held when our Captain received a "May Day" call at 10 a.m. from a crew of five men delivering a brand new yacht from Durban to the Virgin Islands. Within hours they were in trouble with 60 knot winds and 60ft. waves. The stricken yacht initially reported that it was 40 miles off the coast, but by the time it had lost its rudder, followed by the mast, then capsized and righted itself it was floundering 70 miles offshore.
We immediately made for its location and stayed with it for six hours. Although we had lifeboats on board, it was too dangerous to launch them. To watch this helpless little craft in such dangerous seas was frightening, but to stay with it it was necessary for us to reduce speed to 8 knots, which in seas of this magnitude caused problems for us too and we were tossed around like a cork. Our crew spent several days afterwards repairing severe damage to our bow and metal stairway and bulkheads in close proximity.
However, the criteria was saving these five men - their liferaft had blown away; a rescue vessel had got into difficulty and abandoned the attempt, so Durban's 15 Squadron sent a helicopter whilst we acted as a marker for the location of the little craft.. It was some seven hours after the "May Day" call that the rescue was effected by winch from the helicopter. The bravery of the Navy divers was amazing. They had to get one person off at a time, put them in the water and then lift them into the chopper. At one time it was thought that the helicopter might have to land on our ship to use our hospital, but miraculously, apart from being badly shaken the crew had no injuries and there was no loss of life. When we arrived in Port Elizabeth the next day, it was the main topic of conversation with the citizens and the story made all the South African newspapers with “Seabourn Sun” being highly praised.
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Seabourn, in our experience, is the best cruise experience with its spacious cabins, extremely attentive crew and overall personal attention. Nothing is too much trouble for them and the personal touch to make each passenger feel special is amazing.
Have also sailed on "Seabourn Legend" so have selected that as I cannot access "Sun".
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