Update:
The six fishermen who went missing on Saturday have been found safe.
A Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Fisheries Patrol vessel located and recovered the men deep at sea off Cape Point.
This is according to NSRI Communications, in cooperation with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).
‘In an extensive search and rescue operation involving multiple resources, reaching in excess of 80 nautical miles South East of Cape Point, the DFFE Fisheries Patrol vessel Ellen Khuzwayo located and recovered the six missing fishermen deep sea off Cape Point,’ the organisations confirmed in a statement.
The fishermen, who were expected to arrive in Simon’s Town at 10am today, are reportedly all in good health and without any injuries.
NSRI said the six were being escorted on their last leg towards Simon’s Town by an NSRI Simon’s Town rescue craft.
The organisations commended the support and efforts of the maritime community as well as the extensive search efforts carried out by DFFE Fisheries Patrol vessels and the MRCC SAR coordinator in the successful rescue operation.
An extensive search is underway for six fishermen, believed to be from Hout Bay and Hawston, who are still missing at sea aboard a grey Ballistic 7.8-metre RHIB (rigid-hull inflatable boat) named ‘Berta Fishing Experience’.
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The NSRI has asked the maritime community to keep an eye out for the men and their boat.
On Sunday morning, NSRI was notified by concerned family, colleagues and friends of the fishermen who were reported to be late.
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The NSRI, the SA Police Services, Police Sea Borderline Control, and (WPDS) Water Policing and Diving Services are supporting MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) in search grid plotting over a sizable search area deep in the sea south and south west of Cape Point, where it is believed that the local men were reportedly fishing on Saturday afternoon and night.
Telkom Maritime Radio Services has issued an all-ships marine VHF radio broadcast, alerting vessels in the area to be on the lookout.
Ski-Boat Mobile and the local boating and maritime communities are helping to spread the word that all vessels and ships at sea should report any sightings.
Families have opened missing persons cases.
An extensive search operation is still underway.
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Picture: Mick Haupt / Unsplash