Ian Klopper, NSRI Kommetjie station commander, said: At 10h58, Wednesday, 19th April, NSRI Kommetjie duty crew were activated following reports of a man overboard the fishing vessel Maria Louisa and missing 2 nautical miles off-shore of Cape Point.The fishing vessel Maria Louise had initiated a search and raised the alarm after noticing the fisherman missing and suspected to have gone overboard from unknown causes while motoring towards fishing grounds.NSRI Kommetjie launched the sea rescue craft Spirit of the Vines and a sea rescue vehicle was dispatched to Cape Point to assist with communications. NSRI Simonstown launched the sea rescue craft Spirit of Safmarine III.An NSRI ASR (Air Sea Rescue) rescue swimmer and a WC Government Health EMS rescue diver accompanied the AMS/EMS Skymed rescue helicopter that was activated and NSRI Hout Bay were placed on alert.On arrival on the scene NSRI Kommetjie, NSRI Simonstown and the Skymed rescue helicopter joined the casualty fishing vessel Maria Louisa and a private boat that had offered to assist in the search in an extensive air and sea search for the 43 year old Hout Bay fisherman who was missing.The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) and Telkom Maritime Radio Services assisted.Despite the extensive air and sea search no sign of the man has been found and the fishing vessel Maria Louisa will remain on the scene until sunset and Telkom Maritime Radio Services will continue to broadcast and all ships alert for vessels in the area to maintain a watch.
Pictures by Justin Pienaar of NSRI Kommetjie. NSRI Kommetjie and NSRI Simonstown in attendance at the fishing vessel Maria Louisa off-shore of Cape Point.-ENDS-TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE
