Dramatic rescue of Angel Wings crew after dismasting at sea
Angel Wings, a youth team of sailors from the Cape Flats representing the Royal Cape Yacht Club (RCYC) Sailing Academy,celebrating first place on handicap in the 2025 Cape2Rio race on Thursday January 15. The crew had to abandon their yacht on their return trip to Cape Town and had to be rescued.
Image: Supplied
A dramatic maritime incident unfolded approximately 900 miles south-east of Rio de Janeiro when the sailing vessel (SV) Angel Wings encountered catastrophic failure on its return journey to Cape Town. The vessel suffered a dismasting, leading to urgent communications with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) South Africa. With swift coordination from MRCC Brazil, action was taken to divert the bulk carrier, Motor Vessel (MV) Bryant, to assist in the rescue operation.
This call for assistance came as the situation aboard Angel Wings deteriorated rapidly. The loss of all spars eliminated any possibility of setting up a jury rig, a vital method that could have allowed the stricken vessel to navigate to safety. The surrounding weather conditions were described as treacherous, with winds reaching between 20-25 knots and waves towering at 4-5 metres. Faced with such challenges, the decision to abandon Angel Wings was made in consultation with the master of the MV Bryant.
In a tense rescue operation, all three crew members—identified as Sibusiso Sizatu, Tshepo Renaldo Mohale, and Andrea Myburg—were successfully lifted from the sinking vessel and brought aboard the MV Bryant. The vessel ultimately succumbed to the relentless forces of the ocean shortly after the crew's safe extraction. Family members of the rescued crew have been promptly informed of their wellbeing following this harrowing incident.
MV Bryant is en route to Singapore, where it is due to arrive on 2 March. Following the delivery, the crew will return to their home port of Cape Town. The swift and professional response of the MRCC South Africa, MRCC Brazil, as well as the crew and owners of MV Bryant, has been commended for their crucial role in ensuring the safety of all involved. Without their rapid intervention, the outcome could have been far more tragic.