St Francis Bay – Search for a fisherman fallen overboard a charter fishing vessel

NSRI St Francis Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a local fisherman, age 36, fallen overboard a local charter fishing vessel between 2 and 4 nautical miles off-shore of the Krom River Mouth.

Sara Smith, NSRI St Francis Bay station commander, said:

The sea rescue craft Spirit of St Francis II was launched and on arrival on the scene a search commenced.

NSRI Jeffreys Bay launched the sea rescue craft Rescue 37 Alpha and NSRI Oyster Bay launched the sea rescue craft Caltex Challenger III and they joined NSRI St Francis Bay in a sea search.

Transnet National Ports Authority and the SA Police Services were activated and NSRI shore crews and Police conducted shoreline patrols.

MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) diverted a fishing vessel to the area to assist in the search.

Telkom Maritime Radio Services are assisting with Marine VHF communications.

MRCC, NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) and NSRI St Francis Bay, NSRI Jeffreys Bay and NSRI Oyster Bay duty controllers assisted to plot search patterns.

SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) are assisting Police in an investigation that has been opened in this case.

On Wednesday morning sea rescue craft from all 3 NSRI stations, NSRI St Francis Bay, NSRI Jeffreys Bay and NSRI Oyster Bay are continuing in a sea search and aircraft flying in the area have been requested to keep a look out.

Telkom Maritime Radio Services are broadcasting marine VHF traffic alerts requesting vessels in the area to keep a look out.

Lifeguards on duty along the coastline in the area have been tasked to do shoreline patrols.

The Police Dive Unit has been alerted. Police divers and Police K9 Search and Rescue will join in the search.

Our thoughts are with the family and colleagues of the missing man in this difficult time.