2 men missing - Gordons Bay. A man missing - Umhlanga

At 08h44, Monday, 20 February, NSRI Gordons Bay, NSRI Kleinmond, NSRI Strandfontein and NSRI Simonstown were activated. Also, at 20h08, Monday, 20 February, The KZN Surf Rescue Network were alerted to reports of a drowning in progress at Umhlanga

GORDONS BAY:

Alan Meiklejohn, NSRI Gordons Bay station commander, said:

2 men, age 54 and 40, locals, remain missing at Gordons Bay.

They had been fishing off-shore of Die Poort, Strand, and were reported missing to NSRI

MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) were assisted by NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), NSRI Headquarters duty controllers and NSRI duty controllers from the 4 NSRI rescue stations to formulate a search grid.

4 NSRI rescue craft and an AGA helicopter launched an air and sea search while NSRI rescue vehicles conducted shoreline patrols between Kleinmond and Macassar in the extensive search.

An all ships alert was posted by Telkom Maritime Radio Services and they assisted in marine VHF radio communications.

During the search the small boat was located broken up and washed up into a crevice along the rocky shoreline between Gordons Bay and the Steenbras River Mouth.

There remains no sign of the 2 missing men.

The SA Police Services have launched an investigation and a search for the missing men is ongoing.

Thoughts are with the families of the missing men in this difficult time.

UMHLANGA:

Jonathan Kellerman, NSRI Durban station commander, said:

Netcare 911 ambulance services, Medi-Care ambulance services and NSRI Durban responded.

On arrival on the scene it was determined that 3 locals, aged 29,18 and 17 were in shallow surf when the 29 year old male was swept away by strong rip currents.

A 29 year old male failed to exit the water and he is missing.

An NSRI rescue swimmer launched into the surf and searched while an extensive shoreline search was conducted.

An extensive search has revealed no sign of the missing man.

The SA Police Services are investigating and Police Search and Rescue are tasked to continue in an ongoing search.

All services in the area are keeping a vigil.

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