Pretoria: 05 April 2024
The circumstances under which a South African fishing vessel crewman disappeared after reportedly going overboard while at sea off Lamberts Bay in the Western Cape will remain under scrutiny even as the search for the crewman has been called, so said the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) on Friday.
According to SAMSA, information about the incident surfaced early Thursday after the fishing vessel, FV Hesko, issued a call for assistance reportedly due to one of its crewmen having fallen overboard at a location at sea approximately 80 kilometres west of Lamberts Bay in the Atlantic Ocean.
South Africa’s Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) at the SAMSA Centre for Sea Watch & Response in Cape Town, working in conjunction with Telkom Maritime Radio (TMR) was informed that the FV Hesko – a 31 meter vessel – reported a man overboard at about 02h14 on Thursday morning.
The MRCC immediately initiated an alert call to all other vessels in the area to possibly render assistance to the casualty vessel, and two – the FV Samrock and the FV Atlantic Rose – were the first responders, with a third, the FV Lisa Ann also due to join the search and rescue during the course of the day, on Thursday.
The MRCC said: “We were informed that the incident occurred while the crew was busy working on the nets on the deck and the crewman who reportedly fell overboard had slipped.
“The report said he was wearing a life jacket and had been initially spotted floating face down in water after the fall overboard. One of the crew members reportedly jumped into the water in an attempt to recover the casualty, but unfortunately the casualty disappeared under water.”
“The search had continued for a while through to Thursday morning but later, the casualty vessel and those assisting with the search reported that they were released from the search for the person in the water.
“With all information at its hands, MRCC Cape Town having considered the matter, decided to stand down. That notwithstanding, a ‘PAN PAN’ broadcast was made to all vessels in the vicinity until 11h00 to be on the lookout for a lifejacket sighting and report such to the MRCC when made,” said SAMSA.
SAMSA further confirmed that the incident remains under investigation.
Meanwhile, in Cape Town on Friday, SAMSA confirmed yet another shipping incident at the port of Cape Town wherein two ships collided, but without causing injuries to people.
SAMSA said in Pretoria on Friday: “The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) can confirm an incident involving the Ambience Cruise Ship and the Grey Fox Cargo Ship at the Cape Town Harbour earlier today. The incident occurred during berthing operations when the Ambience made contact with another vessel and the quay.
“We are relieved to confirm that there have been no injuries because of this incident. Furthermore, there is no risk to the environment, nor to the safety of the vessel or the port. The Ambience sustained minor damages.
“The Port Authority is actively managing the situation, and a SAMSA surveyor is currently on-site conducting a thorough assessment to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident and to evaluate the extent of the damage.”
End.
