Lodewyk van Rensburg, NSRI Oyster Bay station commander, said:At 09h25, Saturday, 17 October, NSRI Oyster Bay duty crew were activated following a request for assistance from a fisherman on a fishing sea kayak who reported to NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) that he was in difficulty off-shore of Skuitbaai, Eersterivierstrand, between Tsitsikamma and Oyster Bay.The sea rescue craft Caltex Challenger 2 and Rescue 36 Alpha were towed to Skuitbaai and launched.NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew were placed on alert.The 61 year old man, from George, was located 1.5 nautical miles off-shore of Skuitbaai at anchor on his fishing sea kayak.He was brought safely to shore without incident aboard our sea rescue craft and his sea kayak was recovered and once safely ashore he required no further assistance.The fisherman has told NSRI that while fishing at sea on his fishing sea kayak he had hooked a fish using a fishing rod and line when a shark got hold of the fish and started pulling him out to sea.The shark made off with his fish and he lost his paddle and some fishing gear.Unable to paddle back to shore he was able to cast his anchor when he then raised the alarm.
-ENDS-
