UPDATE: SEA RESCUE PATERNOSTER - Tuesday, 19th August:The Transnet National Ports Authority are continuing to coordinate an extensive ongoing search operation, assisted by MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) and Telkom Maritime Radio Services, for two fishermen missing since yesterday early evening in Paternoster on the West Coast.An SA Air Force 22 Squadron Oryx helicopter accompanied by NSRI Airborne Sea Rescue (ASR) crew has joined NSRI Mykonos, NSRI Melkbosstrand, local Police, Sea Borderline Police and a Police Dive Unit in the search.During the afternoon today the missing boat was found washed up on the beach and of three life-jackets that were reported by the owner to have been on the boat only one life-jacket was found earlier today washed up on the beach and recovered with other flotsam that has been confirmed to be from the boat and raising hopes that the two missing fishermen are wearing life-jackets.It remains unknown what caused this incident to happen and Police have opened an investigation in conjunction with SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority).An extensive air, sea and shore search is ongoing.
ORIGINAL RELEASEAn ongoing search operation for two fishermen missing on a Crayfish Bakkie (small open fishing boat) is continuing off Paternoster on the West Coast.The two local fishermen had launched to go fishing at midday yesterday, Monday, 18th August, and were last heard from at around 18h00 and all seemed fine (according to friends that spoke with the men) but on their failure to return from fishing at around 19h30 last night the alarm was raised.A search by NSRI Mykonos sea rescue craft and shore patrols by NSRI and the SA Police Services into the early hours of this morning, Tuesday, 19th August, revealed no sign of the two fishermen and this morning NSRI Melkbosstrand responded to join in the search.NSRI sea rescue craft, a Police Sea Borderline boat and shore patrols are continuing an extensive ongoing search.During the mid morning today flotsam has been recovered that washed ashore in the vicinity and which has been positively identified as belonging to the missing boat but there remains no sign of the boat or the two missing fishermen and an extensive search is continuing.Pictures by Marnette Meyer/NSRI are available of Sea Rescue's Flickr page.
