Diver missing in Durban. Family members rescued in Langebaan

DURBAN:Clifford Ireland, NSRI Durban station commander, said:At 18h05, Sunday, 17th December, NSRI Durban duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following a request for assistance from Aquatech reporting a diver missing in the Port of Durban.We believe that the diver reportedly went into the water on a dive to relieve another diver who was already under a ship during dive maintenance operations under a ship berthed in Port.At 17h00, reportedly after it appeared that the diver had not arrived to relieve the diver who was already under water (under the ship), Aquatech divers initiated a search and at 17h15 raised the alarm calling TNPA Port Control.The sea rescue craft Megan II was launched and our sea rescue vehicle was dispatched.The SA Police Services, a Police Dive Unit from Police Borderline and ER24 ambulance services had also been activated.A Police dive unit scuba dive searched and Aquatech divers joined the Police divers in their search and our sea rescue craft carried out a surface water search.No sign of the missing diver, aged 23, has been found and Police divers will continue an ongoing search operation.LANGEBAAN:Mike Shaw, NSRI Mykonos duty controller, said:At 18h39, Sunday, 17th December, NSRI Mykonos duty crew were activated following a request for assistance from the wife of a windsurfer reporting that he and another 2 male family members, who were on a kayak, were in difficulty on Langebaan Lagoon.The sea rescue craft Spirit of Surfski 5 was launched and we found the 3 men, aged 43, 35 and 31 on the opposite side of Langebaan Lagoon but in a remote area and unable to get back across the lagoon against the wind.All 3 were taken aboard our sea rescue craft (with their craft) and we brought them to the Langebaan Yacht Club without incident.It appears that the 43 year old windsurfer was swept away by winds and the 2 family members went after him on a kayak but were also swept across the lagoon.Once safely ashore at the yacht club and reunited with family they required no further assistance.-ENDS-