An extensive sea, air and shoreline search has been underway since Sunday evening (7 September) for missing Bloubergstrand kite surfer Graham Howes (38), who failed to return from an afternoon session offshore of Eden on the Bay.
An accomplished kite surfer, he was last seen around 13:00 on Sunday on a blue and black kite-board with a white kite sail carrying red writing, dressed in a black wetsuit. When he did not return by late afternoon as expected, his family raised the alarm.
Immediate response
According to NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon, NSRI Melkbosstrand duty crew were activated at 19:59 after receiving the call from Howes’ family.
“Our rescue craft Rotary’s Gift was launched to begin the search, while shoreline patrols were conducted along the Blouberg coast,” he said.
NSRI Table Bay deployed the rescue craft DHL Deliverer and Spirit of Day, while NSRI Yzerfontein dispatched a quad bike for shoreline patrols and launched Rotary Onwards. A WC Government Health EMS Metro Rescue drone unit was also deployed, conducting aerial infrared search efforts.
Community called to assist
Lambinon said local support has been overwhelming. “Family, friends, coast watchers, neighbourhood-watch groups and the local kite-boarding community are assisting tirelessly with shoreline searches.”
Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant. “We appeal to the fishing, sailing, private and commercial maritime community in the area between Blouberg Beach, Robben Island and up the West Coast towards Dassen Island to keep a sharp lookout,” Lambinon stressed.
Multiple agencies join efforts
The operation has seen wide cooperation from several agencies. The police has opened a formal investigation, while City Water Rescue Network, Police WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services), Sea Borderline Control and law enforcement have all been alerted.
Environmental officers from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) at Robben Island are assisting, and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) Port of Table Bay are supporting coordination.
Telkom Maritime Radio Services continues to broadcast an all-ships alert via marine VHF radio.
Search expands with weather in mind
Search grids, calculated based on sea currents, wind and weather, extend offshore from Eden on the Bay in a north-west direction past Bokpunt, Yzerfontein and Dassen Island.
Despite extensive overnight efforts, Howes remains missing. “All possibilities are being investigated, and the search will continue,” said Lambinon.
Camera footage obtained by local security shows Howes offshore of Eden on the Bay shortly after 13:00 on Sunday, matching the description of his gear and wetsuit.
The NSRI has confirmed the search remained active from Monday morning.
This is the third missing person case TygerBurger has reported on recently. In addition to Howes, a man and a teenager remain unaccounted for, with search operations for both still ongoing. Authorities have urged the public to remain alert and to report any information that could assist in these investigations.
