A commercial fishing vessel, capsized at the backline surf zone at Umgababa Main Beach

At 08h16, Tuesday, 11 June, NSRI Rocky Bay, an NSRI lifeguard, an NSRI Durban crewman, the SA Police Services, Police Search and Rescue, Netcare 911 ambulance, eThekwini Fire and Rescue Services, KwaZulu EMRS (Emergency Medical and Rescue Services), Metro Search and Rescue and the KZN surf lifesaving network were activated by eThekwini surf lifeguards, on duty at Umgababa Main Beach, reporting a boat (a 5.5 meter RHIB – rigid hull inflatable boat), a commercial fishing vessel, capsized at the backline surf zone at Umgababa Main Beach, between Scottburgh and Amanzimtoti – KZN South Coast.

There were reportedly 4 local adult men on the boat when it capsized.

eThekwini municipal lifeguards launched into the water to assist, while fellow boats, in the area at the time, also assisted.

NSRI Rocky Bay crew, an NSRI lifeguard, the SA Police Services, an NSRI Durban crewman, Police Search and Rescue, Netcare 911 ambulance, eThekwini Fire and Rescue Services, KwaZulu EMRS (Emergency Medical and Rescue Services), Metro Search and Rescue responded, to join eThekwini lifeguards at the beach.

3 of the 4 casualty men were rescued from the surf zone to the shore by eThekwini lifeguards and by fellow fishermen. 1 man remained missing.

One of the three men that was rescued to the shore, the skipper, is suspected to have suffered a medical condition while he was on the beach.

Netcare 911 paramedics, eThekwini lifeguards, Police medics and the NSRI lifeguard conducted extensive CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts on the skipper.

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

A search continued for the missing man.

A private aircraft and a Police helicopter assisted and conducted an aerial search while Police, NSRI, emergency services and eThekwini lifeguards conducted shoreline search efforts.

eThekwini lifeguards launched surf rescue craft and conducted extensive search efforts for the missing man in and beyond the surf zone.

Despite an extensive air, sea and shoreline search there remains no signs of the missing man.

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

Condolences are conveyed to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased man.

Our thoughts are with those affected by the tragedy and the family, friends and colleagues of the missing man.

Police and lifeguards are continuing in an ongoing search effort for the missing man.