THE skipper of the yacht marooned off the coast of Rakiraki last weekend has expressed disappointment with the navy's claims that it did not receive clear directions from the boat owners when they transmitted their mayday call.
Beahari skipper Jose Carlos from Spain said they used the yacht radio and satellite phone numerous times throughout the day to call for help when the yacht ran aground on a reef near the Vatu-i-Ra passage last Saturday.
"We clearly gave out our co-ordinates which was 17 degrees, 19 minutes dot 725 South (Latitude) and 178 degrees, 35 minutes dot 719 East (Longitude)," said Mr Carlos.
He said he was unhappy that the navy had claimed via the media that the message was unclear.
"It was very clear that day and a number of large ships and boats responded to our call when they heard us," he said.
"We got a response from a Ports Authority boat and also from a nearby dive boat and resort. The dive boat and those at Wananavu Beach Resort and Safari Lodge were the only ones who responded to our calls."
Mr Carlos said he was concerned that the authorities did little to assist them.
"Its just a matter of co-ordination and telling passing yachts and ships of our position and asking them to help us.
"We were calling for help from 6am on Saturday till 6pm that day and no help arrived. The help that we did get was later that evening from Jeremy (Davids of Wananavu Beach Resort) and his colleague.
"Warren Francis from Safari Lodge also helped us save the boat from destruction. We didn't get a call from the navy until the next day (Sunday) but by then it was too late."
The Spaniard, who has been sailing to Fiji for the past two months, hopes more is be done by the authorities to enable quick response and avoid any further harm to sailors.
Mr Carlos was responding to comments made earlier by Navy Commander John Fox earlier this week stating that the particulars of the mayday call were unclear.
Cdr Fox confirmed that their search and rescue division received the mayday call but had to call nearby resorts to seek assistance on the exact location of the yacht.