NSRI and local fishing crew rescue man overboard off Mouille Point

A 38-year-old seafarer is recovering in hospital after a dramatic multi-agency rescue in Table Bay on Wednesday, 22 July, made possible by the swift action of a local fishing vessel that answered a call for help over the marine radio

At 16h11 on Wednesday, 22 July, NSRI Bakoven and NSRI Table Bay duty crews were activated following reports from Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) Port of Table Bay Port Control of a man overboard at a bulk carrier motor vessel, 7 nautical miles offshore of Mouille Point in Table Bay.

Table Bay Port Control alerted the NSRI Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), raising the alarm, and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and Telkom Maritime Radio Services were also notified.

NSRI Bakoven duty crew launched the rescue craft Gemini Legend from Station 2, while NSRI Table Bay duty crew launched the rescue craft DHL Deliverer from Station 3. Netcare 911 and WC Government Health EMS ambulance services were placed on standby at the NSRI Table Bay rescue base.

Telkom Maritime Radio Services and Cape Town Radio relayed an all-ships Pan Pan emergency broadcast, alerting vessels in the area to respond.

The bulk carrier's crew had managed to secure the man alongside their vessel using a life ring and rope but were unable to recover him from the water. A port supply vessel at the scene assisted in securing him but was also unable to bring him aboard.

The local fishing vessel McDuck, fishing offshore of Camps Bay after launching earlier that day from Oceana Power Boat Club, overheard the commotion on the marine VHF radio. Realising the severity of the situation, the skipper diverted towards the scene to assist, a decision reinforced moments later when the Pan Pan broadcast came through on the same channel.

On reaching the scene, the skipper and crew of McDuck successfully recovered the man from the water. He was found severely injured, hypothermic and lapsing in and out of consciousness, a 38-year-old Greek seafarer. The crew of McDuck immediately began rewarming measures and reported that they were heading towards Oceana Power Boat Club with the injured man aboard.

This information was relayed to the responding NSRI rescue craft and emergency services. The Bakoven and Table Bay rescue craft reached McDuck, at that point roughly halfway between the casualty vessel and land, where NSRI rescue swimmers were transferred aboard with medical equipment to continue treatment.

Given the seriousness of the man's condition, the decision was made to keep him aboard McDuck while NSRI rescue craft escorted the vessel towards the Port of Table Bay, with EMS and Netcare 911 paramedics standing by at the NSRI Table Bay rescue base.

On arrival, paramedics boarded McDuck and continued treatment. The patient was stabilised and transferred to an EMS ambulance, before being transported to hospital in a serious but stable condition. It remains unknown how the man came to fall into the water.

He is currently recovering in hospital in the care of doctors and nurses.

NSRI Bakoven station commander Bevan Geyser commended the skipper and crew of McDuck for their critical role in the rescue, along with the coordinated efforts of NSRI EOC, Table Bay Port Control, Cape Town Radio, MRCC, EMS Metro Control, Netcare 911 and the shipping agent, in cooperation with NSRI Bakoven and NSRI Table Bay, for contributing to saving the man's life.