Wednesday 20th June 2012.NSRI Hermanus duty crew were called out after the Department of Environment – Oceans and Coasts reported a 5 meter fishing boat, Salom, capsized approximately 1 nautical mile off Kleinmond, near to the Kleinmond harbour.Three crewmen were reported to be in the water, in rough sea conditions with breaking swells up to 3 meters and a 10 to 15 knot North Westerly wind. A private fishing boat that attempted to rescue the crew was also reported to be in difficulty and a number of private fishing boats were also apparently trying to help.Deon Langenhoven, NSRI Hermanus duty coxswain, said that at 10h50 our volunteers responded in a rescue vehicle towing the sea rescue boat Hunters Gold Rescuer, to launch on the scene. The SA Police Force, the Western Cape Provincial Government Emergency Medical and Rescue Services (EMS) and the EMS Air Mercy Services helicopter (Skymed) responded.Prior to our arrival we were informed that all crew had been brought safely ashore by the fishing boat Pearl but the casualty boat remained capsized approximately 1 nautical mile off-shore.While NSRI, the Police and EMS ambulances continued to respond to the scene, Skymed were stood-down to return to base.On our arrival we confirmed that all of the casualty crew, skipper Jacque de Jager, 49, and his crew, Daniel Berry, 32, and a Mr. J. Snel, 61, all from Kleinmond, were safely ashore and unnjured. They had been rescued and brought ashore by the fishing vessel Pearl, assisted by a number of other private fishing craft.NSRI Hermanus volunteers then launched Hunters Gold Rescuer at the scene and secured the capsized boat, which remains in the capsized position, with an anchor in her position of approximately 1 nautical mile off-shore. We did not risk attempting to bring her into the Kleinmond small boat harbour as waves are breaking into the harbour which may have put a recovery operation at risk.The Maritime Radio Services have been informed to investigate any necessity to broadcast the Maritime hazard to other craft in the area.The owner of the capsized craft, Mr. Thom Sun, will investigate the best opportunity to salvage his boat.The crew of the fishing boat Pearl, who rescued the 3 men, and the local fishing boats that assisted, are commended for their quick and bold actions in bringing the casualty crew safely ashore.
