A wooden dhow came to the rescue of a crew of four individuals who had drifted 80 kilometers in the Indian Ocean.
Dacey Calisura and her husband Jethro Friggens, both seasoned sailors, embarked on an ambitious journey from East Africa to the UAE aboard their 12-meter Catalina vessel, named Freya. The couple, who lived in Dubai, planned to cover a daunting 2,900 nautical miles, equivalent to 5,370 kilometers, through the Indian Ocean and along the Somali Coast. Their destination was Dubai, but they aimed to make a brief stop at Socotra, an island off the coast of Yemen.
The adventure was not without its risks, as the waters they had to traverse were notorious for piracy. Despite the potential dangers, they were well-prepared and confident in their abilities. Dacey and Jethro were joined by two friends, Euan Jarvis, the chief dinghy instructor at Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, and Caroline Kneitz, a skilled sailor from the same club, who completed their crew.
For the first ten days, the voyage went smoothly despite encountering rough weather with 30-knot wind speeds and towering five-meter-high waves. The crew managed to handle the challenging conditions and navigate without relying on autopilot. However, as they approached Socotra, trouble struck when their boat lost steerage, leaving them at the mercy of the elements and adrift in the rough seas.
Desperate for assistance, they issued a mayday signal and stayed in touch with the UK coastguard through a satellite phone. With limited large vessels in the area, the chances of rescue seemed bleak. Nevertheless, their strategic planning played a crucial role in their salvation. They maintained daily updates, which were sent to friends in Dubai, who, in turn, alerted contacts in Socotra about the dire situation.
The news reached local fishermen, and a rescue mission was organized promptly. A courageous crew set out on a wooden dhow, tirelessly searching the waters for nine hours until they spotted the distressed vessel. They attached tow ropes and commenced the arduous 22-hour rescue operation, covering approximately 92 kilometers until they safely reached land on July 28.
Grateful for their rescue, Dacey, Jethro, Euan, and Caroline now focus on repairing their boat to prepare for the journey back to the UAE. They plan to sail via Salalah in Oman before the year’s end. As they eagerly look forward to returning to Dubai, their brave adventure at sea will forever be etched in their memories.