The search for two fishermen who went missing at sea after launching their boat in local waters just over a week ago came to an end after two bodies washed ashore within days of each other last week.
DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette previously reported that an extensive search had been launched for the duo, aged 54 and 40, last Monday (20 February), after they had apparently gone missing while fishing out in Strand waters, off the shore of Die Poort late the previous day (“Search continues for two fishermen missing at sea,” 21 February).
National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) duty crews of Gordon’s Bay, Kleinmond, Strandfontein and Simonstown were called to action for the search around 08:44 on Monday.
During an extensive search between Kleinmond and Macassar the small open boat was located, broken-up and washed into a crevice along a rocky shoreline between Gordon’s Bay and Steenbras River Mouth. However, there was no sign of the two missing men until the body of a man believed to be that of the 54-year-old fisherman, later unofficially identified as “Mossie Mostert”, washed ashore last Tuesday afternoon (21 February).
A media statement released by the NSRI said City of Cape Town lifeguards stationed at Kogel Bay had located the body behind the back breakers around 16:58 on Tuesday and, under the guidance of the police diving unit, brought it ashore where authorities, including local police and emergency personnel, attended to the scene (“Body found at Kogel Bay may be missing local fisherman,” 22 February).
Gordon’s Bay police, on enquiry, confirmed an inquest docket for further investigation had been opened following the discovery. A spokesperson, on enquiry this week, confirmed a formal identification process was followed and the body positively identified as Heinrich Jacques “Mossie” Mostert.
Authorities remained on the lookout for the other missing fisherman, who was still sought until another male body washed ashore last Friday (24 February).
An updated media statement released by the NSRI on Saturday (25 February) said NSRI Simon’s Town duty crew were activated following reports of a body believed to be that of the missing 40-year-old fisherman being located adrift in the vicinity of Romans Rock Lighthouse, off-shore of the harbour, around 16:36 on Friday. The body was recovered after a surf-skier had made the discovery and raised the alarm.
DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette reached out to the family of the fisherman, who was also unofficially identified as Christiaan Stassen.
His mother, Desiree Stassen (62), confirmed her husband, Jacobus (64), had formally identified their son’s body on Monday morning (27 February).
“My heart is sore,” said the bereaved mother of the loss of the couple’s only son, who lived with them.
“He was my pillar of support. Always willing and able to extend a helping hand. We loved him so.”
Stassen described Christiaan as a good, hardworking and family-oriented man and an avid fisherman whose heart belonged to the sea.
“Our house is quiet without him and we miss him.”
She fondly shared that he would always wake them with a morning cup of tea. The father of two also worked from their Ruyterwacht home as a self-taught welder after being retrenched and, according to his mother, the sound of clapping at getting something right or swearing at a failed attempt will always be missed.
A funeral service for Christiaan is being arranged for Saturday. Aside from his parents, he is survived by his two children, a 15-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son, and a fiancée.
However, attempts to reach Mostert’s family for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publishing.
