Fishing trawler sinks, 9 fishermen recovered, 11 still missing

A fishing trawler has sunk 30 nautical miles off the coast of Cape Town - 9 fishermen have been recovered but 11 are still missing at sea.

SASAR (South African Search and Rescue) NSRI media statement in cooperation with MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) and SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority)

At 15h40, Friday, 17 May, NSRI Hout Bay duty crew and NSRI Table Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a fishing vessel sinking approximately 30 nautical miles off-shore of the Atlantic Seaboard.

A Mayday distress call, intercepted by Telkom Maritime Radio Services at 15h30, was relayed to vessels in the area that responded to assist.

At least 5 fishing vessels reached the search area locating and recovering 9 of 20 local fishermen from a life raft.

The 9 survivors are not injured and they were brought to the Port of Table Bay aboard a fellow fishing vessel during the night. They are in the care of their fishing company.

The NSRI Hout Bay rescue craft Nadine Gordimer and Albie Matthews, and an NSRI Table Bay rescue craft, DHL Deliverer, were launched.

The SA Police Services, Police Sea Borderline Control, SAPS WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services), WC Government Health EMS Metro Control and rescue squad, DRM (Disaster Risk Management), Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services and CoCT (City of Cape Town) Law Enforcement Marine Unit were placed on alert.

TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Port of Table Bay Port Control and NSRI duty controllers assisted MRCC in the logistics and coordination of the search and rescue operation.

3 NSRI rescue craft arrived in the search area and joined fishing vessels in an extensive search operation for 11 missing fishermen in 3 to 4 meter sea swells and 10 to 15 knot winds.

The casualty fishing vessel appears to have sunk from unknown causes.

Both life rafts, of the casualty fishing vessel, have been recovered.

An AGA (Aerios Global Aviation) helicopter and fixed wing aircraft joined in the search operation.

Despite an extensive air and sea search there remains no signs of 11 missing fishermen and a search operation is ongoing.

Thoughts and care are with the fishermen's families and the fishing company in this difficult time.

Telkom Maritime Radio Services assisted with marine VHF radio communications and an all ships alert continues to be broadcast requesting vessels in the area to keep a sharp lookout.