Bantry Bay Tragedy: NSRI's Response to Capsized Boat

NSRI Bakoven and NSRI Table Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a RHIB (rigid hull inflatable boat) appearing to be in difficulty with suspected motor mechanical failure off-shore of Queens Beach, Bantry Bay, with 4 male crew onboard.

The NSRI Bakoven rescue craft Gemini Legend was being prepared to be launched when eyewitnesses reported that the boat had capsized with all 4 crew reported to be in the water just off-shore of Queens Beach.

The CoCT (City of Cape Town) water rescue network was activated.

NSRI Bakoven launched their rescue craft while NSRI Bakoven, NSRI Table Bay, WC Government Health EMS rescue squad and ambulance, CoCT Law Enforcement, the SA Police Services and Life Healthcare response paramedics responded.

A bystander Good Samaritan had reportedly gone to their assistance using an NSRI pink rescue buoy.

On arrival on the scene all 4 men were on the shore where their boat had washed ashore.

NSRI medics initiated Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation efforts on one man, believed to be aged 32, from Johannesburg.

NSRI medics were joined by paramedics continuing with advanced life support CPR.

After all efforts to resuscitate the man were exhausted sadly he was declared deceased.

The body of the deceased man has been taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

Police have opened an inquest docket.

Condolences are conveyed to family of the deceased man.

The casualty boat remains hard aground and we believe efforts are being made by Police to recover the boat.

The 3 survivors, a British man and 2 South Africans, were not injured.