The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Bakoven and Table Bay duty crew responded to reports of a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB), with four males onboard, appearing to be in difficulty with suspected motor mechanical failure.
Also read: NSRI calls on public to prioritise safety following two separate drownings
NSRI said its Bakoven craft Gemini Legend was being prepped to launch when eyewitnesses reported that the RHIB had capsized and all four males, wearing life jackets, were floating in the water just off-shore of Queen’s Beach, Bantry Bay.
The rescue craft was launched and the City of Cape Town water rescue network was activated while NSRI Bakoven, NSRI Table Bay, WC Government Health EMS rescue squad and ambulance, law enforcement, SAPS and Life Healthcare response paramedics responded.
‘A bystander Good Samaritan had reportedly gone to their assistance using an NSRI pink rescue buoy,’ the organisation said.
‘On arrival on the scene, all four men were on shore where their boat had washed ashore.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation efforts were initiated by NSRI medics on one of the males, believed to be from Johannesburg before paramedics joined to continue with advanced life support CPR.
After all efforts were exhausted, the 32-year-old man was declared deceased.
‘The three survivors, a British man and two South Africans, were not injured,’ NSRI reported. ‘The casualty boat remains hard aground and we believe efforts are being made by police to recover it.’
Police opened an inquest docket and the body has since been taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
Our sincerest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased man.
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NSRI calls on public to prioritise safety following two separate drownings
Picture: National Sea Rescue Institute