Ian Gray, NSRI Port Elizabeth station commander, said; “on 16 April at 01h11 NSRI Port Elizabeth volunteers were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority following reports from the fishing vessel Santa Isabel of a crewman, of their vessel, missing overboard, 40 nautical miles North East of Port Elizabeth, (in the vicinity of 8 nautical off-shore of Bird Island and 8 nautical miles off-shore of Cape Padrone).
The incident reportedly happened after midnight when it is alleged that the man’s brother in law witnessed him falling overboard.
The ships Captain immediately initiated man overboard procedures (marking their position and backtracking on their course to begin a search) whilst raising the alarm via a VHF radio emergency message to Maritime Radio Services.
Maritime Radio Services broadcast an all ships alert for any vessel in the area to be on the lookout and for any vessel in the area to join the Santa Isabel in her search and Search and Rescue authorities were alerted.
Our NSRI Port Elizabeth volunteer duty crew launched our sea rescue craft Eikos Rescuer IV and on arrival on-scene an extensive coordinated search commenced involving our sea rescue craft, Santa Isabel and one other fishing trawler that joined in the search.
It is believed that the missing crewman, aged in his early twenties, from Port Elizabeth, was dressed only in his normal work clothes and was not wearing a life jacket.
Sea conditions were calm with a 1 meter swell and no moon.
An extensive search lasting well into the morning has revealed no sign of the missing fisherman who is presumed to have drowned.”
SAMSA (the South African Maritime Safety Authority) and the SA Police Services have been informed and an inquest docket will be opened by Police.
Alan Straton
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