MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Distress Flare Mystery

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At 00h26, Tuesday, 3 December, NSRI Gqeberha duty crew were activated following reports from Port Elizabeth International Airport ATC (Air Traffic Control) of pilots on a commercial regional aircraft, approaching the airport, reporting to have witnessed 2 red distress flares offshore in Algoa Bay.

An additional call was received by a local resident eyewitness reporting the sighting of the 2 red distress flares.

The NSRI rescue craft Rescue 6 and Rescue 6 Alpha were launched.

TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Port of Port Elizabeth Port Control were notified and Telkom Maritime Radio Services broadcast an all ships alert for that area for vessels to keep a sharp lookout.

Using advanced search technology an extensive grid pattern search area was established, in cooperation with NSRI EOC (EmergencyOperations Centre) and NSRI Gqeberha duty controllers – an extensive search operation was commenced.

Despite the extensive sea and shoreline search that continued into the morning, to 08h00, no signs of any vessels or persons in any distress were found.

NSRI and authorities are continuing to monitor but there remain no reports of anyone missing or overdue, related to this case, and the red distress flare activation remains a mystery.

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Port Elizabethan

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