OVERSTRAND – Search teams continue efforts to find a 25-year-old boat skipper who disappeared underwater after reportedly jumping overboard to retrieve personal items near Hawston Harbour on Friday 14 November
According to Craig Lambinon, spokesperson for the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the search resumed on Saturday 15 November, after initial rescue efforts commenced at 12:38 on Friday when NSRI Kleinmond duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of what appeared to be a capsized boat.
On arrival at the scene, it was established that the small open fishing boat carrying two local fishermen had not capsized. The 25-year-old skipper from Hawston had reportedly jumped into the water to recover personal items that had fallen overboard, but he did not resurface, Lambinon said.
Emergency response teams mobilised immediately, while NSRI Kleinmond deployed rescue vehicles and craft to the scene. Local police, Overstrand Traffic Services, Overstrand Law Enforcement and Wilderness Search and Rescue also responded, and NSRI Hermanus crew launched additional rescue craft to assist in the search.
Western Cape Department of Health’s Emergency Medical Services Metro Control and the police’s Water Policing and Diving Services (WPDS) were also alerted.
Extensive searches in calm seas by NSRI rescue craft, diving teams and shoreline patrols, assisted by friends of the missing man on Friday, revealed no signs of the missing fisherman. The search continued on Saturday morning.
“WPDS divers, assisted by NSRI, Metro EMS Rescue and Overstrand authorities, continue to search efforts,” Lambinon said.
The NSRI has extended thoughts and care to the family and friends of the missing man.
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