NSRI Richards Bay Responds to Distress Flares and Assists Capsized Fishing Boat

NSRI Richards Bay responded to multiple distress flare sightings on Wednesday evening, leading to the successful recovery of two local fishermen whose boat had capsized near the Port of Richards Bay entrance.

At approximately 19h10 on Wednesday, 29 April, NSRI Richards Bay duty crew, while at the NSRI Richards Bay Station 19 rescue base, observed a red distress flare in the vicinity of Pelican Island.

As the NSRI rescue craft Spirit of Round Table II was launched to investigate, NSRI duty controllers and the NSRI Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) received multiple eyewitness reports confirming the sighting of the flare. Shortly thereafter, an additional three red distress flares were observed in the same area.

On arrival near the Port of Richards Bay entrance, NSRI crews located a small open 14-foot boat with one local adult male onboard and another in the water.

The two men reported that their boat had capsized after a wave broke over a submerged sandbank while they were fishing. Both men had entered the water but managed to right the vessel moments before NSRI arrived on scene.

The man in the water was assisted safely back onboard while an NSRI rescue swimmer established a towline to the casualty craft.

The vessel was towed safely to the Zululand Yacht Club (ZYC), where the boat was recovered without incident.

No injuries were reported and both men required no further assistance following the operation.

NSRI commends the public for promptly reporting the distress flares, contributing to the swift response and positive outcome.