The search and rescue operation for 11 fishermen who went missing after their fishing trawler sank in the Atlantic Ocean, about 34 nautical miles (nearly 63 km) off the coast of Hout Bay, on Friday, has been called off.
Also read: Search continues for 11 fishermen missing off Cape Town coast
According to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), a search for the missing crew followed after a distress call was received by the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) based at the SAMSA Centre for Sea Watch & Response in Cape Town.
The FV Lepanto fishing trawler reportedly took on water and was sinking fast.
At the time, the FV Lepanto (a 35-metre long and 7.5-metre wide fishing trawler registered in South Africa) had a crew of 20 fishermen onboard. Nine were spotted floating in the sea nearby and evacuated to Cape Town.
SAMSA further reports that a ‘number of vessels at sea in the area’ joined the search and rescue operation.
At least four assigned fishing vessels in the vicinity, a fixed-wing aircraft and a helicopter dispatched from Cape Town continued their search through the rest of Friday into Saturday.
There was no sign of the missing crew, although debris thought to be from the sunken trawler was spotted on late Saturday.
‘Following the sinking of the Lepanto during the late afternoon of 17 May 2024 approximately 34 nautical miles west from Slangkop Point Light in Cape Town, rescue efforts continued for the 11 missing persons,’ SAMSA said in a statement.
‘The commendable efforts of the fishing vessels on 17 May, in the vicinity of the incident location, resulted in both a life raft recovered – one containing nine (9) survivors; and the other being empty.’
‘Unfortunately, even with the large number of vessels on-scene, none of the missing persons were found nor any undone life jackets.’
‘The MRCC Cape Town assigned search and rescue (SAR) patterns to the available craft, attempting to utilise the remaining daylight as best as possible. Unfortunately, no sighting of any of the 11 missing persons or even a life jacket was reported.’
‘A probable search area was developed by MRCC Cape Town in preparation for a nighttime search, and search patterns were assigned to the vessels. The MRCC was able to obtain rotor- and fixed-wing resources through Aerios Global Aviation (AGA), with each aircraft assigned a search pattern aligned with the capabilities provided. Unfortunately, no sightings were reported.’
SAMSA said the search then continued in the morning of 18 May with a revised search area developed and search patterns assigned to the vessels on scene.
‘MRCC also tasked the AGA helicopter, which resulted in debris being spotted within the revised search area. The search continued for the remainder of the daytime without any other sighting reports.’
‘Those vessels remaining in the search area continued with their assigned search patterns until after sunset. A review of the search progression, the search efforts, the continuous lack of sighting reports from the incident start, and the favourable weather, led the MRCC to conclude the SAR effort.’
‘The loss of the 11 persons from the Lepanto is most regrettable. MRCC Cape Town expresses its sincere condolences to the family members, friends, and colleagues of those lost to the sea.’
SAMSA confirmed that an investigation into the incident is now underway.
Also read:
Cape Town Mayor and City send prayers for fishermen missing at sea
Picture: South African Maritime Safety Authority
