Pretoria: 13 October 2024
Twenty crew members of a fishing vessel that caught on fire while out at sea some 60 nautical miles offshore from Gansbaai in the Western Cape were safely rescued and currently on their way to Cape Town, according to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).
According to SAMSA, the fiery incident on board a Sea Harvest fishing vessel, the MVF Armana, occured early on Sunday while the vessel, described as 62 years old, was out at sea for its usual fishing expedition.
In a statement on Sunday afternoon, SAMSA reported: “The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) confirms that the 62 year old MVF Armana had a fire onboard around 60 nautical miles offshore from Gansbaai during the early hours of Sunday, 13 October 2024.
“Initial indications were that the vessel was sinking but subsequent information received by Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) located at the SAMSA Centre for Sea Watch and Response in Cape Town indicated that the 20 crew had to abandon the fishing vessel due to a fire on board.
“Fortunately, all 20 crew members of the vessel have been rescued, are confirmed unharmed, and are on their way back to Cape Town aboard the MFV Ludwani – another of the Sea Harvest Group’s vessels that was in the area at the time of the call. She is estimated to arrive at 20:00 (local time) tonight, and will be met by SAMSA on arrival.
“The families of the rescued crew have been informed and the company is keeping them up to date accordingly.
“The MFV Armana is currently adrift 57 nautical miles south of Gansbaai, and being monitored by the MFV Harvest Saldanha. SAMSA have instructed the owner to secure the services of a tug to tow the stricken vessel to a safe place of refuge and to appoint a salvor.
“The SAMSA Incident Management Team is in contact with the owners and all parties concerned. Further information will be released as soon as it becomes available,” said SAMSA.
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