Tag: ship collision

Search for fishing vessel crewman gone overboard off Lamberts Bay called off: SAMSA

(Photo supplied)

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.

(SAMSA file photo)

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.

Durban port ship collision: SAMSA to investigate.

Durban port
Durban port. For illustration only (SAMSA file photo)

Pretoria: 15 April 2018

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) confirmed on Sunday an investigation underway into the collision of a ship and a tug at the port of Durban at the weekend.

According to the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), the collision occurred on Friday between a car carrier vessel and an inactive tug. No one was injured in the accident, said TNPA spokesperson, Ms Ayanda Somagaca

“On the morning of Friday, 13 April 2018, Transnet National Ports Authority (Port of Durban) was notified that a car carrier vessel, CSCC ASIA, operated by Hoegh Autoliners, had collided with the inactive tug Inyalazi while berthing alongside at the R-Shed in the port’s Point Precinct.

“No injuries were reported as there were no employees on board the tug Inyalazi. Damage occurred to the quayside and the tug sustained a hole on its side which has resulted in an ingress of water into the tug. Tug Umbilo was deployed to the site with a salvage pump to remove the water from Inyalazi.

“Divers and Port of Durban marine crew were on site to closely assess the extent of the damage for the purposes of blocking water from entering the tug. SAMSA arrived at the scene to assess the damage to the Tug and the Commercial Vessel,” said Ms Somagaca

She said operations at the port were running as normal and that the car carrier vessel had been able to continue with its operations while the tug would be moved a dry dock for repairs.

In Durban on Sunday, SAMSA’s Captain Saroor Ali, confirmed that an investigation by the agency was underway to determine the cause of the accident.

“Investigation is in progress and the cause leading to the incident can only be determined on concluding the investigation which involves statements from the ship and tug boat crew and relevant eyewitness personnel.

“SAMSA accident investigations guided by the South African Merchant Shipping Act, are conducted to ascertain the factors contributing to the accident, give recommendations so as to avoid re-occurrence,” said Captain Ali.

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