SEA RESCUE – Cape Point – Thursday, 20th February. Fishing vessel saved from sinking:

A fishing vessel was saved from sinking on Thursday following a swift response to their call for assistance.At 08h01, Thursday, 20th February, NSRI Hout Bay duty crew and NSRI Kommetjie duty crew were activated following reports to NSRI Hout Bay duty controllers of a local fishing vessel with 9 fishermen onboard taking water 12 nautical miles off-shore of Slangkop Lighthouse.The sea rescue craft Albie Matthews was launched from Hout Bay carrying a water extrication pump and the sea rescue craft IL Batello was launched from Kommetjie carrying a water extrication pump and extra fuel and fuel pipes for the water extrication pumps.The NSRI Kommetjie sea rescue craft rendezvoused with the NSRI Hout Bay sea rescue craft at sea and transferred their equipment to the NSRI Hout Bay sea rescue craft and NSRI Hout Bay rendezvoused with the casualty vessel.NSRI Simonstown were placed on alert.A fellow fishing vessel, in the area at the time, was diverted to assist.On arrival on the scene NSRI Hout Bay rescue swimmers boarded the casualty vessel, which was lying low in the water from water intake from unknown causes, and water extrication pumps were used to pump water out of the casualty vessel.The casualty vessel, out of danger, motored on their own motor power towards Hout Bay with the NSRI Hout Bay sea rescue craft escorting the casualty vessel.Once the casualty vessel was safely in Hout Bay Harbour and moored no further assistance was required.MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre), TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) and NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) assisted in coordination with the NSRI Hout Bay, NSRI Kommetjie and NSRI Simonstown sea rescue controllers and Telkom Maritime Radio Services assisted with VHF radio communications .The swift response to this incident, averting a disaster at sea, is commended. The Casualty fishing vessel entering Hout Bay, sea rescue craft Albie Matthews Escorting them.