Authorities are intensifying search efforts for a 31-year-old Indian male national who disappeared at sea in Algoa Bay on March 2, with the search spanning across Algoa Bay and beyond, maritime officials are urging mariners to assist in the search. Additionally, residents along the Gqeberha shoreline are urged to remain vigilant as the search continues.
In a media statement by the NSRI, Justin Erasmus, NSRI Gqeberha station commander said the SA Police Services and WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services) have been alerted.
” It is believed that at around 17:00 and 18:00, on Saturday, 2 March, a MOB (Man Overboard) alarm was sounded from a container motor vessel about 6 nautical miles off-shore East of Cape Recife after crew onboard the vessel noticed their fellow seaman missing,” Erasmus said.
” A search of the vessel revealed no signs of the man who was declared to be missing and suspected to have gone overboard.
” Maritime authorities were alerted, and the motor vessel initiated a search while an all-ships alert was broadcast.
” NSRI Gqeberha duty crew were alerted at 20:12,” Erasmus added.
The NSRI further stated that, NSRI Gqeberha operations controllers and NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) assisted maritime authorities to plan search grids – initially information indicated that the incident (MOB) may have occurred further East and NSRI Port Alfred was also alerted. At first light on Sunday morning the NSRI Gqeberha rescue craft Rescue 6 Alpha joined an extensive search operation.
” Despite an extensive sea search there remains no signs of the missing man.
“An all-ships alert continues to be broadcast by Telkom Maritime Radio Services.
” NSRI Gqeberha duty controllers, NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Port of Port Elizabeth Port Control, the SA Police Services and Telkom Maritime Radio Services, in cooperation with the container motor vessel and vessels at sea, assisted MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre), in the logistics and coordination of the search operation.”
