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Photo: AFP
Navy rescues Israeli yacht sinking off Lebanon shores
The 'Odelia,' en route from Haifa to Cyprus meets trouble in international waters; captain Maydays for help; Navy vessel tows ship to safety
Drama at sea: An Israeli yacht experienced distress while in international waters off the shores of Lebanon, Monday night, and had to be towed by the Israeli Navy.
According to available details, the "Odelia," carrying six Israelis including a mother, father and their children, was en route from Haifa to Cyprus when it experienced trouble and began to sink.
Rough Waters
Ahuva Mamos
Egypt arrested four Israeli security guards, four crewmen on board Sea Pearl yacht near Straits of Tiran. Suspicion aroused after guards threw weapons overboard. They were released after questioning and upon Foreign Ministry's intervention
The vessel was sailing in international waters across from Tyre at the time.
The ship's captain sent out a Mayday call, after water began penetrating into the wheelhouse of the 12-meter yacht. The call was picked up by the Navy. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen Benny Gantz and INF Commander Admiral Ram Rotberg authorized a nearby missile boat to liaise with the Odelia and escort it to safety.
The order was given after a civilian rescue proved impossible.
The Navy vessel towed the Odelia back to the Haifa Port. None of the passengers were harmed.
In August 2011, Egypt arrested four Israeli security guards and four crew members on board a yacht in the Straits of Tiran area.
After their interrogation and as a result of intervention by the Foreign Ministry, the guards were released to Israel.
The incident occurred after the Sea Bell yacht carrying the Israeli guards encountered an Egyptian coastal guard ship. Despite being legally employed, the Israelis panicked and threw their weapons overboard.
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