The duty crew of the National Sea Rescue Institute’s Kleinmond station was called into action following three incidents in Hangklip and Betty’s Bay over the last week.
According to Schalk Boonzaaier, NSRI Kleinmond station commander, local police are monitoring the situation after eyewitnesses reported a male diver having gone missing at sea in the vicinity of the Kleinmond tidal pool on Saturday (4 January).
“The NSRI Kleinmond duty crew was activated at 17:22, following eyewitness reports of a diver appearing to be in difficulties along the rocks on the shoreline at Kleinmond tidal pool on the Bruggie,” he explained, adding that NSRI rescue swimmers, Overstrand Law Enforcement, provincial government Health EMS and the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter responded to the call.
“Further reports said the diver appeared to be in difficulty while emergency resources were responding. Despite an extensive air, sea and shoreline search, no signs of the diver were found. There remain no reports of any person missing or overdue that may be related to this case.”
During the incident NSRI Kleinmond received a second call from the wife of a man who had gone diving in the vicinity of Maasbaai, Hangklip, but who had not returned home as scheduled.
“While investigating this call at Hangklip, the wife alerted NSRI reporting that her husband had returned home safely and no assistance was required,” Bezuidenhout said.
Meanwhile, NSRI Kleinmond duty crew were activated after reports of a father-and-daughter duo in difficulties on a canoe offshore at Jocks Bay, Betty’s Bay at 14:17 on Wednesday 1 January. “It appears the father and daughter were in the water after they had apparently been washed off their canoe while fishing,” the NSRI station commander said.
“An eyewitness, a young man who had indicated his intentions to join NSRI Kleinmond, had visuals of the two casualties and he remained in communication with our responding rescue resources. Responding, we requested the local good Samaritan indicate and shout to the casualties to swim away from the rocky shoreline.”
An NSRI Kleinmond rescue craft was launched into sea conditions with 2 m swells and, with strong gusting winds, the NSRI rescue crew reached the casualties offshore and they were brought on the vessel. “They were brought to the beach at Jocks Bay, where they were assessed. and showed no signs of injury.”
V Anyone with information that can assist police with the missing-diver case is asked to contact Kleinmond police on 028 271 8200 or 028 271 8202.
