Following the sinking of a fishing trawler off the Atlantic Seaboard on Friday, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and the City of Cape Town released a statement, sending prayers to the families of the missing fishermen and rescue teams.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) confirmed on Saturday that nine crewmen were recovered from a lift raft, with 11 fishermen still unaccounted for as an extensive air and sea search operation continues.
Also read: Nine recovered and 11 missing after fishing boat sinks off Hout Bay coast
‘My prayers are with the families of those still missing at sea as rescue crews and personnel from the NSRI, South African Search and Rescue and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre work to locate the missing fishermen,’ said Hill-Lewis.
‘We continue to be on standby to offer all necessary support and are hopeful for a safe recovery.’
Fixed-wing aircraft and an Aerios Global Aviation (AGA) helicopter are scouring the ocean off the coast of Hout Bay for the 11 missing fishermen while NSRI rescue craft join fellow fishing vessels in the extensive search and rescue operation.
City of Cape Town Law Enforcement Marine Unit as well as Fire and Rescue Services, together with SAPS, Police Sea Borderline Control, SAPS Water Policing and Diving Services, Disaster Risk Management and WCG Health EMS Metro Control and Rescue Squad, have been placed on alert.
Meanwhile, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Barbara Creecy expressed ‘shock and sadness’ over the incident, also sending thoughts and prayers to the missing fishermen and their families.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the missing fishermen and their families as we await news of the search and rescue operation,’ Times Live reported Creecy as saying.
Both of the fishing trawler’s life rafts have since been recovered. It is believed that the trawler sunk, however the cause of the water ingress is unknown at this stage.
Creecy also expressed gratitude to the fellow fishing vessel that rescued the nine uninjured fishermen and brought them to the Port of Table Bay. They are now in the care of their fishing company, reported the NSRI.
Also read:
Fisherman deceased, two survived in boating accident at Cape Point
Picture: NSRI