DURBAN – A search is ongoing for a missing man after seven suspected stowaways reportedly jumped from a container ship off the coast of Durban.

According to Craig Lambinon, spokesperson for the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the incident unfolded on Monday, 20 April, about five nautical miles offshore and beyond the Port of Durban.

Lambinon said a Pan Pan emergency marine VHF radio broadcast, intercepted by Telkom Maritime Radio Services at around 14:15, alerted authorities that seven men had gone overboard from a motor vessel container ship.

“It was determined that seven (believed to be) stowaways appear to have abandoned a motor vessel container ship offshore of Durban,” he said.

“It is believed that six of the men had been rescued by the ship but one man remained missing.”

It is understood the men may have attempted to swim to shore as the vessel approached the harbour.

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) coordinated an initial search operation involving the vessel and two additional commercial ships.

Lambinon said NSRI Durban Station 5 later launched a rescue operation after becoming aware of the incident at around 18:00.

“Despite an extensive search operation, including deploying a drift buoy to determine drift speed and direction, there remains no sign of the missing man,” he said.

The man was last reportedly seen wearing a green shirt and green pants.

Police Search and Rescue, Sea Borderline Control and the KwaZulu-Natal surf rescue network have been alerted, while maritime broadcasts continue to warn vessels in the area.

The search continues.

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