A marine court of enquiry is to be set up by the Department of Transport (DoT) to fully establish the cause/s of the sinking of a Cape Town based South African commercial vessel, the FV Lepanto, earlier in 2024 and whose demise cost the lives of 11 crew, while nine (9) others were successfully rescued; the ministry has announced.
The launch of the enquiry, according to DoT national spokesman, Mr Colleen Msibi in a statement on Wednesday, follow a submission of a draft preliminary enquiry report by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) to Transport Minister, Ms Barbara Creecy, and deputy Minister of Transport, Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa this past weekend.
The SAMSA draft report is scheduled to be finalised and released before the end of 2024, said Mr Msibi.
Mr Msibi said: “The Minister of Transport, Ms. Barbara Creecy and the Deputy Minister, Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa have on Sunday the 10th of November 2024 received a notification from the South African Maritime Authority (SAMSA) indicating that a draft report regarding the tragic sinking of the Fishing Vessel Lepanto, has been completed. The tragic accident happened on 17 May 2024, where eleven lives perished at sea.
“The Minister and Deputy Minister have requested (the) SAMSA board to urgently finalize the report with its legal team. They have also instructed the Department to begin a process of establishing a Marine Court of Enquiry to further pursue an investigation and bring the report to finality.
“Creecy and Hlengwa have expressed their strong desire to release the final preliminary report before the end of the year,” said Mr Msibi.
The sinking in May 2024 of the 38,6-meters long, 63 years old FV Lepanto, resulting in the tragic loss of lives of 11 crew believed to have remained trapped onboard – the vessel reportedly sank rapidly, within about five (5) minutes after a sudden heavy listing – was one of a handful of sea incidents involving commercial fishing vessels during the year and from which approximately 70 crew members in total were successfully rescued and evacuated.
The incidents included a sister commercial vessel to the FV Lepanto, the FV Armana which reportedly had been the first responder to issue a mayday call, as well as rescue and evacuate the nine (9) surviving crew members of the FV Lepanto on 17 May 2024.
Incidentally, five months later, the FV Armana reportedly also caught fire and sank in October 2024 while out at sea in a location some 60 nautical miles offshore from Gansbaai on the Atlantic Ocean. All its 20 crew members on board were successfully rescued and evacuated back to Cape Town.
The two sister commercial fishing vessels’ incidents were interspersed by two others, the grounding of the FV Elke M in January, near St Francis Bay on the Eastern Cape coast (Indian Ocean), and the sinking of the FV Oceana Amethyst approximately 20 nautical miles west north- west of Slangkoppunt on the Altantic Ocean in the Western Cape.
All crew on board both vessels (FV Elke M = 22 and FV Oceana Amethyst = 20) were successfully rescued and evacuated.
Day of the Seafarer 2024: Durban. 25 June 2024. Senior government officials, heads of organisations and companies, seaferarers and others attending, devoting a minute’s silence in memory of South Africa’s 11 fishermen lost at sea, and presumed dead in May 2024.
Pretoria: 04 July 2024
South Africa joined the global maritime community on June 25, the Day of the Seafarer, to honour and pay tribute to seafarers, in an event hosted in three of the country’s coastal cities of Cape Town, Gqeberha and Durban.
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) in partnership with the Department of Transport (DoT) and Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) led the event in Durban KwaZulu-Natal, while the DoT held base in Cape Town, and the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) hosted the Gqeberha leg.
SAMSA and the maritime captains saluted the endeavours of the seafarers who risk their lives at sea for months on end, annually.
Ushered by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) with the theme: “Seafarers’ contribution to making the maritime sector a safer workplace”, key speakers at the SAMSA event included Mr Dumisani Ntuli; Chief Director: Maritime Policy and Legislation at the DoT, Mr Tau Morwe, SAMSA Acting Chief Executive Officer (ACEO), along with representatives of maritime sector companies, among them; Mediterranean Shipping Company (MCS), South African Association of Ship Operators and Agents (SASOA), and Fender Care.
Mr Mahesh Fakir: SAMSA Board ChairpersonMr Dumisani Ntuli.Chief Director: Maritime Policy and Legislation. Department of TransportMs Siphumelele Gcaba Fender Care Representative
True to the spirit of the theme of the Day, the gathering in Durban dedicated a minute of silence in remembrance of the 11 South African crewmen who tragically lost their lives after their Cape Town based fishing trawler rapidly sank in the Atlantic Ocean on 17 May 2024. The fishing trawler, FV Lepanto, according to reports at the time, had 20 crew members on board, with nine (9) having survived the ordeal after being rescued.
SAMSA’s Board Chair, Mr. Mahesh Fakir, reflected on the incident as indicative of the most challenging working environments seafarers in South Africa and global have to deal with as well as vital role they continue to play to the world economy.
He noted that an investigation was still underway on the tragic Cape Town fishing vessel incident.
Mr Tau Morwe. Acting CEO. South African Maritime Safety Authority
Also, in his opening remarks, speaking on the theme of the day and stressing the pivotal role seafarers play in ensuring safety in the maritime sector Mr Morwe, said: “The (Day of the Seafarer 2024) theme serves as a reminder of the crucial role that seafarers play in ensuring their own safety and the safety of the vessels while navigating the unpredictable sea. The maritime industry is a challenging and demanding environment where seafarers face numerous risks.”
“It is through their unwavering dedication, professionalism, and commitment to safety to overcome challenges and ensure the smooth operation of the maritime sector. As a South African Maritime Safety Authority, we share this responsibility. We pay tribute to all the seafarers that have been injured, lost their lives at sea, or have been suffering from trauma because of their service.”
Captain Brynn Adamson, TNPA Harbour Master at the port of Port Elizabeth, also shared a message of support to the contribution of seafarers towards their safety and wellbeing.
“As TNPA, the custodian of all the ports in South Africa, we take the role of embedding safety not only in marine operations exceptionally seriously, but also, ensuring that safety is cascaded to our tenants, port users, vessel masters, terminal operators, through our licenses, lease arrangements, incident management procedures.
“As one of the largest employers of seafarers in South Africa, TNPA pledges and reaffirms to the safety and most importantly, the well-being of seafarers that visit our 8 ports and all seafarers calling our shores. We take this opportunity to recognise the contribution that all seafarers make in our daily lives.”
Lending support to the focus of sentiment on the day, on behalf of government, Mr Ntuli of the DoT highlighted the government’s efforts in creating employment opportunities for seafarers in the country, outlining the plans that are in place.
“We have advocated for a homegrown ship as well as increase flagging to assist our seafarers to access high employment opportunities. The Merchant Shipping Act which is under reconstruction in a form of a Merchant Shipping Bill will introduce coastal shipping for the country and its regions which will promote also employment, skills and development,” said Mr Ntuli.
Meanwhile, as has become standard practice by the DoT and SAMSA during celebration of the Day of the Seafarer annually, pupils in grades 10 to 12 from about 12 schools in the KwaZulu Natal province partook in the event, as were exhibitors such as the South African Police Service (SAPS), African Marine Solutions (AMSOL), Moses Kotane Institute (MKI), Durban University of Technology (DUT), Ports Regulator of South Africa (PRSA), Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), and KZN Department of Transport.
The event also encompassed a panel discussion on various subjects such as safety and wellbeing (psychological, emotional, and physical health) of seafarers as well as the advancement of technology, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) on whether it has an impact on job security of seafarers.
The panel discussion was led by Capt. Tshepo Motloutsi, a senior manager for maritime policy at SAMSA’s Centre of Policy, Legal and Regulation, in which participants include Mr Michael Manqele, lecturer at Durban University of Technology (DUT), Cap. Rodrego Thompson, a ship surveyor at SAMSA, Reverend Forbes Maupa from the Durban Seafarer Mission, Ms Tracy Myeza, Chief Engineer of Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) tugs, and Ms Zama Mkhize, Tug Master at TNPA.
For more visuals of the event, a large portion of which was livestreamed, please click on the following SAMSA Facebook posts links in succession.
A search and rescue operation for 11 crew members of a sunken fishing trawler in the Atlantic Ocean about 34 nautial miles from the nearest coastal land area has been called off, with an investigation of the incident now underway, says the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)
According to a SAMSA statement on Sunday, the search for the missing crew ensued on Friday afternoon after a distress call was received by the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) based at the SAMSA Centre for Sea Watch & Response in Cape Town, and during which a fishing trawler, FV Lepanto, reported to have taken water rapidly and was sinking fast.
SAMSA says at the time of the incident, the FV Lepanto, a 35 meters long and 7.5 meters wide fishing trawler registered in South Africa, had a crew of 20 fishermen onboard, and nine (9) of whom were soon located floating at sea nearby, and evacuated to Cape Town.
Soon after the distress call was received by the MRCC and broadcast back to other vessels at sea in the area, a number of vessels nearest to the casualty vessel, at a location of approximately 35 nautical miles in the Atlantic Ocean west of Slangkop Point in the Western Cape, joined the search and rescue operation.
The search continued through the rest of Friday into Saturday, involving at least four assigned fishing vessels in the vicinity, as well as a fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter dispatched from Cape Town. Late on Saturday, debris thought to be from the stricken and sunken trawler was spotted, however sadly, no sight of the missing crew was made, said SAMSA.
SAMSA said: “Following the sinking of the LEPANTO during the late afternoon of 17 May 2024 approximately 34 nautical miles west from Slangkop Point Light in Cape Town, rescue efforts continued for the 11 missing persons.
“The commendable efforts of the fishing vessels on 17 May, in the vicinity of the incident location, resulted in both a life raft recovered – one containing nine (9) survivors; and the other being empty.
“Unfortunately, even with the large number of vessels on-scene, none of the missing persons were found nor any undone life jackets.
“The MRCC Cape Town assigned search and rescue (SAR) patterns to the available craft, attempting to utilise the remaining daylight as best as possible. Unfortunately, no sighting of any of the 11 missing persons or even a life jacket was reported.
“A probable search area was developed by MRCC Cape Town in preparation for a night time search, and search patterns were assigned to the vessels. The MRCC was able to obtain rotor- and fixed wing resources through Aerios Global Aviation (AGA), with each aircraft were assigned a search pattern aligned with the capabilities provided. Unfortunately, no sightings were reported.
“The search continued in the morning of 18 May with a revised search area developed, and search patterns assigned to the vessels on scene. MRCC also tasked the AGA helicopter, which resulted in debris being spotted within the revised search area. The search continued for the remainder of the daytime without any other sighting reports.
“Those vessels remaining in the search area continued with their assigned search patterns until after sunset. A review of the search progression, the search efforts, and the continuous lack of sighting reports from the incident start, and the favourable weather, led the MRCC to conclude the SAR effort.
“MRCC Cape Town expresses its sincere appreciation of efforts and contributions from: Telkom Maritime Radio, South African Maritime Safety Authority, AGA, NSRI, the media, City of Cape Town, Viking Fishing, Sea Harvest, NSRI Stations 01, 03, 08, as well as the numbers of vessels that partook in the operation, namely FVs Lee-Anne, Locqueran, Haverst Florita, Haverst Umzanzi, Armana, Haverst Saldanha, Isabela Marine, Haverst Georgina, Haverst Cap Nord, African Queen, Umlobi, and Haverst Lindiwe.
“The loss of the 11 persons from the LEPANTO is most regrettable. MRCC Cape Town expresses its sincere condolences to the family members, friends, and colleagues of those lost to the sea.
A photo of the South Africa flagged fishing trawler, FV Lepanto that reportedly quickly sank about 34 nautical miles in the Atlantic Ocean west of Slangkop Point on Friday afternoon, with 20 crewmen on board. Nine crewmen were rescued and evacuated while a searh and rescue for the 11 others still missing is currently underway. (Photo: SAMSA)
Pretoria: 18 May 2024
UPDATE 1: (15h40)
Apart from debris found floating at sea by a fishing vessel assisting with a search and rescue operation in the Atlantic Ocean early on Saturday, no sight has yet been made of 11 crew members of the sunken FV Lepanto, reports the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).
The South Africa flagged fishing trawler, with 20 crewmen on board, reportedly quickly sunk on Friday afternoon at a location some 34 nautical miles west of Slangkop Point. Nine (9) of the crew members were evacuated shortly thereafter and brought to Cape Town, while a search and rescue ensured to find the 11 others still missing, said SAMSA.
SAMSA said the debris spotted on Saturday, was found by one of three fishing vessels that were called upon to assist with the search and rescue of the missing crew members. SAMSA confirmed that the search had also gone airborne early on Saturday, after an aircraft was secured for the SAR.
“A search and rescue operation is currently underway for the remaining 11 persons in the water. Three vessels are involved in the search. All three vessels; FVs Harvest Lindiwe, Haverst Mzansi, Haverst Cape Nord, are on scene and actively searching. The designated search area has been divided into three sections, with each vessel conducting a parallel search pattern within the assigned section.
“An AGA helicopter is assisting with an aerial search. The estimated search duration is 8-10 hours. Debris has been reported in the northern part of the search grid and the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) Cape Town is investigating this lead,” said SAMSA.
For more on the story, see the section below.
More updates will be made when available.
A frantic search for about 11 fishermen is underway in the Atlantic Ocean after their vessel, a South Africa registered trawler named VF Lepanto, sunk on Friday with 20 crew on board, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) reports.
SAMSA says the incident occured while the 35 meters long and 7.5 meters wide vessel was at a location approximately 35 nautical miles west of Slangkop Point in the Western Cape.
A statement by the SAMSA Centre for Sea Watch & Response located Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) in Cape Town on Friday night said the incident of the casualty occured on Friday afternoon, prompting a search and rescue operation after a distress call from the vessel was received.
Said the MRCC: ” At 15:34 local time, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Cape Town received a distress call notification from regarding the South African-flagged fishing vessel FV Lepanto, reported to be sinking rapidly approximately 34 nautical miles west of Slangkop Point Light.
“The distress call, received by Telkom Maritime Services, prompted an immediate response. Nearby fishing vessels, FV Harvest Mzanzi and FV Armana, responded to the mayday call and proceeded to the scene. FV Armana successfully rescued nine crew members, leaving eleven crew members still unaccounted for.
“The MRCC Cape Town is coordinating the search and rescue (SAR) operation. A MAYDAY broadcast has been issued to request assistance from vessels in the vicinity. Four vessels; the FV Lee-Anne, FV Harvest Saldana, FV Locqueran, and FV Harvest Florita have been alerted and are enroute to assist in the rescue operation.
“The NSRI Emergency Operations Centre has been alerted and is on standby. NSRI Stations 1,3, and 8 responded to the search request
“The MRCC Cape Town and all involved parties are working diligently at searching for the missingcrew. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” said the centre, adding that families of the missing seafarers had already been informed of the incident.
