NSRI Simon's Town Springs into Action to Save Capsized Boaters in Murdoch Valley

NSRI Simon's Town duty crew were activated following reports from a resident in Simon's Town of 2 people clinging to the upturned hull of their capsized craft, with flotsam visible in the water around the capsized boat - a nautical mile off-shore of Rocklands, Murdoch Valley.

NSRI Simon's Town coast watcher's were alerted while the vigilant eye-witness continued to keep a visual on the casualties.

Our NSRI duty crew, and additional off-duty crew, raced expeditiously to our NSRI Simon's Town rescue station where NSRI rescue swimmers suited up in their gear while the NSRI Simon's Town rescue craft Donna Nicholas was swiftly launched.

The NSRI Simon's Town rescue vehicle responded to Murdoch Valley and the CoCT (City of Cape Town) water rescue network was alerted.

CMR (Cape Medical Response) responded.

On arrival in the area, thanks to the vigilance of the original eye-witness, who had raised the alarm and who was keeping watch of the casualty upturned hull of the boat that appeared to be sinking with the 2 men clinging onto the upturned hull, following a brief search we located them and NSRI rescue swimmers were deployed into the water to affect a rescue of the 2 local men.

Their capsized craft was semi-submerged and our NSRI rescue swimmers assisted the 2 casualties through the water towards our rescue craft where they were safely recovered onto the rescue craft.

NSRI medics initiated rewarming procedures for hypothermia sustained to both men.

Considering the serious medical conditions of both men the decision was taken by coxswain Darren Zimmerman to place a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) on the semi-submerged capsized casualty craft - in order to monitor her position - while Telkom Maritime Radio Services broadcast an all ships VHF marine radio alert to shipping in the area to avoid the maritime navigational hazard, while NSRI brought the 2 men to our rescue station to be taken into the care of CMR paramedics.

Following rewarming procedures both men required no further medical care.

Our NSRI rescue craft returned to the position of the PLB where the casualty craft was again located (thanks to the PLB). The casualty craft was righted and brought to our rescue station and returned to the owners without incident.

The vigilance of the eye-witness - we strongly believe if the man at his house had not spotted them in their plight they may have gone unnoticed well into the day and they could well have not been found - combined with the assistance of our NSRI Simon's Town coast watchers and the swift response of our NSRI Simon's Town volunteer rescuers, is commended for contributing to both men's lives being saved.

NSRI commend the assistance of Telkom Maritime Radio Services during the rescue and recovery operation that completed at 13h23.

The 2 local men had been fishing when their boat was capsized by a wave.