Darren Zimmerman, NSRI Simon's Town station commander, said:At 16h03 on Thursday the 27th of June, NSRI Simon's Town duty crew were activated by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following reports from the crew of Navy Patrol boat that they had found a 30 foot boat from Kalk Bay which had capsized and was adrift off Simon's Town, False Bay.On investigation it was determined that 3 local men had launched the boat earlier in the day from Kalk Bay harbour and were missing.The sea rescue craft Spirit of Surfski II was launched to join the SA Navy Patrol boat which was searching for the 3 men and NSRI Kommetjie and NSRI Strandfontein launched their Sea Rescue crafts. The EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter, WC Government Health EMS rescue squad and ambulance, CMR ambulance services, ER24 ambulance services, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services and their Fire Dive Unit, a Police Dive Unit, the SA Police Services and Law Enforcement responded to join in the search in a 25 knot North Westerly wind and rough sea conditions. NSRI ASR (Airborne Sea Rescue) were placed on high alert.During an extensive air, sea and shoreline search, 2 of the missing men were located clinging onto a life-ring. They were recovered onto a sea rescue craft.One man was transported to hospital in a critical condition with severe hypothermia. He has been stabilised and is recovering in hospital. The other man sadly passed away.Despite the extensive search no sign of the third man has been found. A Police Dive Unit have been tasked to continue with an ongoing search operation.The SA Navy ship SAS Protea joined the search and are assisting NSRI Simon's Town and NSRI Kommetjie, together with Fire and Rescue services divers, to recover the capsized boat.The body of the deceased man has been taken into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services.It appears that the boat capsized at about midday.Police have opened an inquest docket that will run in conjunction with a SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) investigation into this tragic incident.Condolences are conveyed to family, friends and colleagues of the deceased man and thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the missing man.
TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE
