Cdr (SCC) Anthony-Glenn von Zeil shared how two Sea Cadet Officers played a vital role in putting out a fire on a newly built yacht in Knysna.
Knysna, South Africa (14 August 2023) – An electrical fire broke out on catamaran “Caritas” in the dock of the Knysna Waterfront. The yacht had recently been built by Vision Yachts and hadn’t yet undergone sea trials.
An SOS was received by Ocean Odyssey, where Midshipman (Mid) Eastern Hennies and Staff Instructor (SI) Nageal Keswarts from TS KNYSNA work, requesting assistance for the yacht which was on fire.
Knowing that fire spreads exponentially and that other boats may be at risk Mid Hennies and SI Keswarts responded immediately.
On arrival at the scene, they noticed that the cabin of the catamaran was on fire and needed to be extinguished.
Mid Hennies and SI Keswarts sprang into action taking a hose pipe, fire extinguishers and started fighting the fire to contain it to the yacht’s cabin. Using their Sea Cadet training this ensured that the fire did not spread further.
On the arrival of the Knysna fire brigade, Mid Hennies and SI Keswarts further assisted the fire brigade to prevent more damage.
Their knowledge of yachts and boats assisted the fire brigade to understand where the risks were onboard including the location of the batteries, fuel and fuel lines. This resulted in risk areas being neutralised and the fire not spreading.
The Knysna fire brigade and the two Sea Cadet officers managed to get the fire under control and saved the catamaran and also prevented more damage to other boats in the Knysna waterfront.
James Turner of Vision Yachts was appreciative of the help from all parties and indicated that fortunately damage was limited to the saloon and a few lockets onboard. The estimated R1.5 million damage would take several months to repair.
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South Africa, We Have SO Much Good News to Share With You!Bravo Zulu to Mid Hennies and SI Keswarts for their speedy action and utilising their Sea Cadet fire fighting and knowledge of boats to assist the Knysna fire brigade in putting out this fire.
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