Update: NSRI tow the passenger ferry to Robben Island:
Quentin Botha, NSRI Table Bay station commander, said: Following the successful rescue of passengers from the Robben Island passenger ferry Thandi and once all of the casualty crew and passengers were safely taken to the Port of Table Bay the NSRI Table Bay sea rescue craft Spirit of Vodacom went back out to sea to join the NSRI Headquarters sea rescue craft Spirit of Round Table and the NSRI Hout Bay sea rescue craft Albie Matthews (on the scene at the listing casualty ferry) and a towline was rigged from the sea rescue craft Spirit of Vodacom onto the casualty ferry and the casualty ferry was towed to Murray’s Bay harbour at Robben Island.
Once safely berthed water extrication pumps were used by NSRI crew and the casualty ferry was pumped free of water and re-floated and secured to a berthing where she remains berthed at Murray’s Bay harbour, Robben Island.
Picture attached: By NSRI Table Bay. The casualty ferry being towed by the NSRI Table Bay sea rescue craft Spirit of Vodacom into Murray’s Bay harbour, and escorted by the NSRI Headquarters sea rescue craft Spirit of Round Table and the NSRI Hout Bay Bay sea rescue craft Albie Matthews (both in picture).
Corrections:
Only one Police Sea Borderline Police boat was dispatched. The second boat was a DAFF (Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries) boat.
Community Medics also responded and Community Medics paramedics assisted in the coordination at the triage post that was set up.
Only one local passenger and one local employee were transported to hospital as a precaution.
Original Media Release
Quentin Botha, NSRI Table Bay station commander, said: At 14h18, Friday, 15th September, NSRI Table Bay duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following a Mayday distress call from the Robben Island passenger ferry Thandi reporting to be taking water.
The NSRI Table Bay sea rescue craft Spirit of Day and Spirit of Vodacom were launched to join the Robben Island passenger ferry Madiba 1 that were already on the scene.
NSRI Bakoven launched the sea rescue craft Rotarian Schipper, NSRI Hout Bay launched the sea rescue craft Albie Matthews, NSRI Melkbosstrand launched the sea rescue craft Spirit of Brenda and a private boat, NSRI Headquarters launched the sea rescue craft Spirit of Round Table, the Police Sea Borderline launched 2 Police craft and the TNPA Pilot boat Petrel responded.
The AMS/EMS Skymed rescue helicopter and the ASR (Air Sea Rescue) and a SAAF (SA Air Force) Oryx helicopter were activated. Skymed was later stood down and the SAAF Oryx remained on alert but was not required to respond.
Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services dive unit, WC Government Health EMS rescue and ambulance, City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management, ER24 ambulance services and Netcare 911 ambulance services responded. A Police Dive Unit were placed on alert.
MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) were alerted and Telkom Maritime Radio Services assisted with radio communications during the operation.
There were reported to be 68 passengers in total which included the 4 crew of the ferry.
A JOC (Joint Operations Control) was set up at the Transnet National Ports Authority Control Tower and rescue craft were directed from the NSRI Table Bay rescue base.
On arrival on the scene the ferry was found to be listing to one side from water intake from unknown causes and some of the passengers were found to be in life rafts. The remaining crew and passengers were on the deck of the casualty ferry.
All passengers and crew of the casualty ferry were transferred by NSRI “Spirit of Day” from the casualty ferry and from life rafts onto the Madiba 1 and onto NSRI’s Spirit of Vodacom and brought to the Port of Table Bay where they were assessed by paramedics and only a few passengers were treated for mild hypothermia.
One passenger from the ferry Thandi, a woman, was transported to hospital by ambulance in a stable condition suffering from back pain. One passenger from the ferry Madiba 1, a woman, was transported to hospital by ambulance in a stable condition suffering from anxiety.
All passengers and crew are accounted for. As the rescue operation progressed some of the resources were stood down no longer required.
SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) are alerted and an investigation into the cause of the vessel taking water will be investigated.
Efforts are being made to recover the ferry.
TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE
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