At 07h20 on Wednesday the 29th January, NSRI Hout Bay, NSRI Kommetjie, the Skymed rescue helicopter, WC Government Health EMS, the SA Police Services and a Police Dive Unit were activated following reports of two fishermen missing in the wave line off Slangkop Lighthouse near Kommetjie.It is believed that a fishing boat suffered engine failure off the Slangkop Lighthouse with four fishermen on board. It appears the boat drifted into the wave line and got swamped by an oncoming wave, causing the two adult fishermen from Hout Bay to be thrown overboard.It is believed the accident took place somewhere between 05h00 and 06h00 this morning.From what the NSRI understands of the incident, the two men remaining on the casualty boat were helpless to render any help to the two who had been thrown out of the boat. A nearby boat is believed to have come to their assistance but could not venture into the wave line to assist the two in the water for fear of being capsized.NSRI believe that it was hoped, by the two survivors and by the crew of the assisting boat, that the two men in the water would get ashore. The two boats then left for Hout Bay harbour (the casualty boat being towed by the boat that came to their assistance).During the towing effort, the alarm was raised.Despite an extensive sea, air and shore search no sign of the two missing fishermen has been found.Investigations and inquiries were made by Police and sea rescue authorities in the hope that the two missing men had made it safely to shore and home. Unfortunately they are still missing and feared drowned.Family of the missing men are being assisted by Police trauma counselors.A Police Dive Unit will continue with a search operation and NSRI Kommetjie will assist while Police investigate the incident. NSRI Kommetjie will again launch their sea rescue craft later today at low tide, and will help in the ongoing search operation.
