Schalk Boonzaaier, NSRI Kleinmond station commander, said:At 05h15, Wednesday, 11th December, NSRI Kleinmond duty crew were activated following reports from the Police of a Crayfish Bakkie (small open fishing boat), with 4 fishermen on board, in difficulty with motor mechanical failure in the surfline in the Kleinmond Harbour Mouth and reported to be washing towards the rocks on the shoreline.2 Fishermen were reported to have jumped off the boat to attempt to swim ashore, 1 was reportedly washed onto rocks and was able to get onto land, 1 was reported to be missing and 2 remained on the casualty boat.A sea rescue craft was prepared to be launched, our NSRI rescue vehicle, EMR ambulance services and WC Government Health EMS rescue squad and EMS ambulance responded to join Police on the scene.A local fellow fishing Crayfish Bakkie located and recovered the missing man in the surfline and brought him to the Jetty where an NSRI rescue swimmer initiated CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation). Additional medics joined the efforts after arriving on scene. Te fisherman, aged in his early 40's is from Hawston.Sadly, despite extensive CPR efforts, he was declared deceased.The casualty craft was towed into the harbour by a fellow fishing boat and recovered in the harbour and 2 survivors, the man who washed onto rocks and one of the crewmen who had remained on the boat, were treated for injuries by paramedics but did not require to go to hospital.The body of the deceased man was taken into the care of the Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.Police have opened an inquest docket.On behalf of all services involved Condolences are conveyed to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased man.NSRI commend the fellow fishing boat that assisted to recover the man from the water and bring the casualty boat to shore.
TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE