St Helena Bay – A fisherman is sadly deceased:

At 08h52, Friday, 15 May, NSRI St Helena Bay duty crew were activated following an urgent request for medical assistance for a medical emergency onboard a fishing vessel at sea offshore of St Helena Bay and the vessel heading towards St Helena Bay.

At 08h52 on Friday, 15 May, National Sea Rescue Institute Station 44 St Helena Bay duty crew were activated following an urgent request for medical assistance aboard a fishing vessel approximately 10 nautical miles offshore of St Helena Bay.

The crew of the vessel reported that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) efforts were underway on the vessel’s 63-year-old chief, a resident of Hout Bay, while the vessel made its way towards St Helena Bay Harbour.

NSRI rescue crew responded to the NSRI St Helena Bay Station 44 rescue base and launched the rescue craft Rotary Onwards. Western Cape Government Health EMS and West Coast Medical Rescue were also alerted and responded to the harbour.

Rescue crews rendezvoused with the fishing vessel offshore, where the vessel’s crew were found continuing CPR efforts on the man. NSRI medics were transferred onto the fishing vessel and continued advanced medical treatment while the vessel was escorted towards St Helena Bay Harbour by the NSRI rescue craft.

On arrival at the harbour, paramedics boarded the vessel and assessed the patient. Despite extensive resuscitation efforts by the fishing crew, NSRI medics and paramedics, the man was sadly declared deceased at the scene.

South African Police Service officers attended the incident, and all indications suggest that the death may have been due to natural causes.

The deceased was taken into the care of funeral services.

Condolences have been conveyed to the man’s family, friends and colleagues.