Cape Vidal 4 men assisted after their boat capsizes

Melinda Snyman, NSRI St Lucia station commander, said: Shortly after 09h00, on Thursday morning, 8 October, a local fishing vessel capsized while attempting to launch through the surf at Cape Vidal, approximately 30 kilometres North of St Lucia. A S.T.A.R.T. (Specialised Tactical Accident Rescue Team) rescue first responder, who was holidaying at Cape Vidal at the time, witnessed the incident as the small fishing vessel encountered unexpectedly large surf while launching. After the vessel was struck by a series of four large waves, the vessel capsized, throwing all four local male crew members overboard. The S.T.A.R.T. first responder immediately contacted NSRI Station 40 in St Lucia, prompting the station to mobilise our rescue duty crew.

We dispatched our NSRI rescue vehicle, towing the station’s JetRIB, on the approximately 30 kilometre response through the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, to reach the scene.

While NSRI crew were responding, beachgoers and holidaymakers, bystander Good Samaritans, at Cape Vidal, rallied to assist the four crew members as they were washed ashore one by one.

The S.T.A.R.T. first responder immediately began medically assessing the casualties, conducting initial triage and administering first aid for minor injuries, cuts and bruises.

On our NSRI response team arriving on scene, the fourth and final crew member had reached the shore.

With all four casualty crew members safely ashore our NSRI medics joined the first responder and together continued assessing and treating the casualties.
It was subsequently established that the vessel’s skipper had sustained a more significant injury. Further medical assessment and treatment was deemed necessary for the skipper.

FaithMed private ambulance service were activated and responded.

FaithMed paramedics took over care of the patient and he was transport to the hospital by FaithMed ambulance, in a stable condition, and in the care of doctors and nurses in hospital he has made a full recovery.

The remaining three crew members were treated at the scene and they required no further medical care.

Following the incident NSRI crew and members of the public assisted in righting the capsized fishing vessel which had sustained substantial damage.

Our NSRI St Lucia station 40 commends the swift and decisive actions of the S.T.A.R.T. rescue first responder, whose immediate call for assistance and prompt medical intervention played a vital role in the response.

Our NSRI St Lucia station 40 also extend our sincere appreciation to the beachgoers and holidaymakers, Good Samaritans, who stepped forward to assist the four crew members during this challenging and potentially dangerous situation.