At 16h03 on Saturday, 28th NSRI Richards Bay crew were activated following reports of a spear-fisherman gone missing while spearfishing.
A group of 4 men were free-dive spearfishing from the ski-boat Tjienkie 1 nautical mile North of St Lucia lighthouse and approximately 1 nautical mile off-shore. They had launched at 07h00 in the morning from the Meerensee ski-boat club to spend a day at sea spear-fishing.
The 4 men are – boat owner and skipper Koos Joubert, 63, his son Jacque-Pier, 22, and crewman Martin Bosman, 33, all from Richards Bay, and their friend Hilton Grove, 31, from Port Elizabeth. They are all experienced spear-fishermen and qualified open water divers.
Hilton and his wife Lisa were visiting their friends in Richards Bay for the weekend.
While spear-fishing Hilton Grove reportedly failed to surface from a dive, just before 16h00, and
the remaining 3 men raised the alarm while initiating a search.
“Our NSRI Richards Bay volunteer crew launched our sea rescue craft Spirit of Richards Bay and Spirit of Round Table and a Transnet National Ports Authority rescue helicopter and the SA Police Force were activated and on arrival on-scene an extensive sea, shore and air search commenced, in 1.5 meter swell and light Northerly winds, for the missing man.” said Cornel du Toit, NSRI Richards Bay deputy station commander.
The local yacht Spirit of Adventure, that was in the area at the time, joined in the search.
When no sign of the missing man had been found, by 22h00, (Saturday, 28th April) the search was suspended and has been resumed since first light today, (Sunday, 29th April), by Police boats, the Transnet Ports Authority rescue helicopter and Police conducting shore patrols in an ongoing effort to find the missing man who is feared to have drowned.
The yacht Spirit of Adventure remained on-scene at anchor throughout the night to continue a watch.
The missing mans wife and the 3 spear-fishermen are being assisted by Police trauma counsellors.
It is unknown what caused missing Hilton Grove to fail to surface from the dive.
Police have opened an inquest docket. Our thoughts are with the Grove family.
My thoughts & prayers are with you Lisa, dont give up hope… All my love & positive energy are coming your way, Lin
My Son was there at the time, they wewre diving in the same area and the launched from Mpelane. They will be going out again to day.
All the best, our thoughts are with you.
Barry
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the NSRI & the SAPS for the massive effort you guys have put in, in search of Hilton. I truly hope that today brings that search to an end. This has been a devastating tragedy for all who know and love Hilton.
My deepest sympathy and thoughts are with your family during this dramatic time. I prayed all night when I heard about Hilton. He was truelly a very special guy. I am still praying that today they will find him so you and your family can have some closure.
Terribly sad news indeed Kim. My thoughts are with you and your family through this unimaginable nightmare it must feel like.
Our thoughts and preys are with Lisa and Hilton and family! All our love. Kelvin & Yvonne
Lisa and the Grové and Lombard family,
My heart is broken by the news I heard about Hilton. I can’t imagine what you must be going through.
I pray for your comfort during this time, we as a family stand together to support you in any way possible.
My love and regards to all.
Diana
It’s a very sad day, when a member of the “spearo” family pays the ultimate price for what they love doing out there in the Big Blue, our sincere condolances to Lisa and family and other friends, you will be in our thoughts and prayers. From fellow spearos and your bro’s JW.
You are in our thoughts and prays Lisa.
May the god bless you all with strength through this very tough time. My condolences to the Grove and Lombard family. My prayers and thoughts are with you all. Stay strong Kimmi.
Lisa and family, in thoughts and prayers at this time.
Grove and Lombard family.
You are constantly in our thoughts and prayers. May you receive strenght to get through this difficult time.Our hearts are broken.
So sad to hear…my condolences.
We are devastated! We saw Hilton at the SA Spearfishing National Championships and helped him to get the primary sponsorship for the event – we are just going to keep trusting for a miracle that Hilton is found unharmed somehow, this just cannot be true!
Everyone from Ocean Divers International Port Elizabeth are praying for him and his family!
Lisa and family
You are in our prayers,to strengthen you in this time of sorrow.
Lisa and family
Special thoughts and prayers to all the family
May Jehovah’s love and holy spirit sustain you during this very sad time
Agape
We love you lots and lots Lisa. It was absolutely devistating news we got from your Mom. Be strong cuzzie!
From all the Jouberts
Dearest Lisa and Lombard family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, our harts are broken
Andrew & Maria Dyson
To Lisa, the Grove and Lombard families – you guys are in our thoughts and prayers constantly. We just spoke to Hilt on friday and organised a get-together for this week – this all seems so surreal, like a dream.
Our hearts go out to you all. May Jehovah sustain you all in this difficult time.
We love you all very much!!
Mike, Aud’s and Sadz
xxxxx
Dear friend Lionel,
I can’t even begin to imagine how you must be feeling about your dear brother. Joan and I are feeling so sad for you Lionel. Even though we’ve never met Hilton, we’ve heard of your wonderful spearfishing stories and know you love your brother a great deal. We’re here for you Lionel. And you too Susan.
Michael and Joan.
Condolences to Lisa and family. Knew Hilton from work and it is indeed a great loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
To Lisa & Lombard Family
You all are in our thoughts. May Jehovah sustain you all in this difficult sad time.
Lots of love
Karl & Antoinette Couzyn Cape Town
Lisa – our most sincere condolences. We only saw this now and can only offer the hope and promise that our Brother will stand next to you again in the resurrection.
I’ve only known Hilton via the WIlddog forum, where he was known as Gromit …we managed to acknowledge each other as brothers (without a doubt a small world)
May Jehovah’s kindness help you and your family through this tough time.
Fondest brotherly love
Peter & Jenni van der Linden, Bromley, Uk (ex Cape Town)
Very Very sad news
been on mine and my dive buddies minds the whole weekend while we dived the same spot
will keep praying for him
condolences to his family and friends
Our prayers are also with the family in this sad time, wish there was more one could do. god bless all his family and friends
Our dearest Lisa, Tensie & family
Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of your sorrow. May our heavenly father, Jehovah give you the strength and support that you need. We are with you in spirit. All our love
Barnard Family in Australia
Dear Lisa, Oom Flippie, Aunty Tensie & Rene
We still cant believe the shock. You are constantly in our prayers and thoughts. We know Jehovah will give you peace and guard your mental powers through this difficult time.
(Philippians 4:6,7 = “Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving let YOUR petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that excels all thought will guard YOUR hearts and YOUR mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.”)
Lots of love and big hugs,
Brett n Manz
Kimbo and Lisa,Lionel and Collette our thoughts and prayers have constantly been with you and your family.
Such a huge shock.
I do hope and pray that there is closure for all of u.
Lots of Love and hugs and kisses
Colin and Colleen
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dear Lisa and family
We are shocked and saddened at this news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you through this brutal time. Please remember you are not alone and have many wonderful things ahead with Hilton.
Warmest love
Dell family
We are really sad to hear this news of our dearest brother! Lisa we are with you and praying for you and your family. We are very sorry for this sad news.
Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help.
Love from us
Greg & Chelene
Thank you NSRI and the Police for your wonderful work and the yacht that was on the watch the entire Saturday evening.
Thank you to all for your loving messages and support.
Thank you for Martin for your ongoing help.
Phillip + Tensie Lombard
Hello Tensie
My deepest sympathies and love goes out to the Lombard and Grove family, but especially to Lisa. I am so deeply sorry to hear about Hilton. Its so hard to believe that this has happened.
Your families are constantly in my prayers, and my heart felt love and sympathies go out to Lisa, may she take comfort in all the Love that she shared with Hilton.
Lots of Love,
Duonette and Family xxx
I would like to thank the NSRI as well as the SAPS, their work is only fully valued when these terrible incidents occur. These guys protect, rescue & support everyone in the most trying times, some without payment.
I thank you so much for all you’ve done trying to find Hilton & bring him home to his family.
Thanks to everyone for their up-building loving comments. We are all totally destroyed at the loss of Hilt, he will be missed by so many people but none more so than his lovely wife Lisa. Our hearts break for the torment that she’s endured & the difficult time going forward. We know that Jehovah will sustain us though & we look even more keenly forward to welcoming our loved ones back
Our thoughts are with Lisa and the rest of the family. Keeping you in our prayers. So so sorry for your loss. Love you lots.
Dear Lisa,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the Family.
Love Jill and attie ( Australia)
My heartfelt sympathy is extended to the Grove family for your very tragic loss. Words cannot describe how awful I feel for you guys. Whilst it is easier said than done, I hope you stay strong or as strong as one can be during this time. I am thinking of all of you as well as his wife Lisa. xx
Dave Sherwood-Adcock (Cape Town)
You are in my thoughts. I pray Jehovah sustains you.
Love
Julian