11 Fishermen Missing At Sea After Vessel Sinks Off The Cape Town Coast

The South African Fisheries Department reported that 11 fishermen went missing after their vessel sank off the coast of Cape Town on May 17, 2024, and search and rescue operations are currently underway.

The fishing vessel carrying 20 people sank approximately 30 nautical miles off the Atlantic Coast.

Nine of the fishermen were rescued after deploying an emergency vessel, while the remaining eleven are still missing.

Fisheries Minister Barbara Creecy stated that their thoughts and prayers are with the missing fishermen as they await news from the search and rescue operation.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) was notified of the incident on Friday afternoon after Telkom Maritime Radio Services received a Mayday distress call at 03:30 local time.

The distress call was relayed to nearby vessels, which responded swiftly.

The NSRI added that nearly five fishing vessels reached the search area and rescued nine fishermen from a life raft.

These survivors were taken to the Port of Table Bay and are now under the supervision of their fishing firm.

NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon provided further information on the current search operation, stating that 3 NSRI rescue crafts, alongside other fishing vessels, are conducting an extensive search operation under challenging waters amid 3-4 meter sea swells and winds ranging from 10-15 knots.

The cause of the vessel’s sinking is still unknown.

However, two life rafts from the sunken vessel were found.

Additionally, an AGA helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft have joined the search operation, but the missing fishermen are yet to be located.

The search continues, with officials and rescue personnel expecting a favourable outcome.

Reference: Reuters

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Source: Maritime Shipping News