Quentin Power, NSRI Ballito station commander, said:Just prior to 21h00, Thursday, 29th November, NSRI Ballito duty crew were activated following reports of a spearfisherman missing in the Sheffield Beach area.The sea rescue craft Caltex Challenger II was launched and Kwadakuza Municipal lifeguards and IPSS Medical Rescue responded.On arrival at scene it was found that earlier a fellow spearfisherman had seen the 57 year old missing divers marker bouy off-shore of Sheffield Beach and later when he returned, some 2 hours later, the marker buoy appeared to still be in the same place appearing to having not moved.On investigation the fellow spearfisherman had found a speargun attached to the marker buoy but there was no sign of his fellow spearfisherman and concerns were raised further when the vehicle of the missing spearfisherman was found to still be in the car park and the alarm was raised.Rescue crews along with the the local spearfishing community and members of the public searched the coastline and inshore waters and rock out crops and a search continued into the early hours of the morning but no sign of the diver was located.From first light, Friday, 30th November, an ongoing search continued and the local spearfishing community assisted NSRI, the SA Police Services, Kwadakuza Municipal lifeguards and IPSS Medical Rescue in an ongoing search. The sea rescue craft Caltex Challenger II was launched to continue in the search.During the ongoing search the missing diver was located by a member of the spearfishing club and the body of the man was recovered from beneath the sea and brought to shore where sadly the man has been declared deceased.The body of the man has been taken into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services and Police have opened an inquest docket.Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased man.
TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE
