Unidentified red distress flares Kommetjie, Trawler assisted Kalk Bay

KOMMETJIE:Ian Klopper, NSRI Kommetjie station commander, said:At 19h24, Monday, 25th July, NSRI Kommetjie duty crew launched the sea rescue craft Spirit of the Vines and sea rescue crew responded to the top of Chapmans Peak following reports of red distress flares fired off-shore between Kommetjie and Hout Bay.NSRI Hout Bay were placed on alert.Despite an extensive search no sign of any craft or persons in difficulty could be found and the origin or the purpose of the red distress flares remains unknown.KALK BAY:Darren Zimmerman, NSRI Simon's Town station commander, said:At 01h55 NSRI Simon's Town duty crew responded to Kalk Bay harbour following a request for assistance from the 20 metre Long-Line fishing trawler Wahaala reporting to be moored in the harbour but taking a battering from sea swells breaching over the harbour wall and gale force winds and reporting his mooring lines snapped and requesting assistance.NSRI Simon's Town crew responded and found waves breaking over the trawler which was flooding and listing and in grave danger of being battered against the harbour wall.In a delicate and urgent operation NSRI Simon's Town crew assisted the skipper to moor the boat further inside the harbour and out of danger.TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE