Southern Cape – Fisherman missing after being swept off rocks by waves

NSRI Wilderness duty crew were activated following reports of a fisherman swept off rocks at Klein Voelklip near to Herolds Bay.

Mike Vonk, NSRI Wilderness station commander, said:

NSRI crew responded to Herolds Bay and launched the NSRI sea rescue craft V's Rescuer, from the Herolds Bay NSRI garage, and the sea rescue craft Oscars Rescuer was towed to Herolds Bay and launched.

NSRI rescue swimmers and shore crew, the SA Police Services, George Fire and Rescue Services and WC Government Health EMS ambulance and their EMS rescue squad responded.

On arrival on the scene a sea and shoreline search commenced for a 26 year old George man.

Friends of the man, fellow anglers, confirmed that while fishing along the shoreline a wave had swept over the man and he had been swept into the sea before they lost sight of him. They had immediately raised the alarm.

During an extensive search a Police Dive Unit was activated and they joined in the search operation on the scene.

Despite an extensive search there remains no sign of the missing man.

On Saturday, 18 June, Police divers, continuing in an ongoing search for the missing man, have been joined by NSRI Wilderness crew who launched the sea rescue craft Spirit of Rotary 100 and V's Rescuer and are assisting Police divers in the ongoing search.

Police divers have free dived at the search area in their ongoing search efforts and sea and shoreline search efforts are ongoing.

Police have opened an investigation.

Thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing man in this difficult time.