Two fishermen died and a third was rescued after their boat capsized at Grootvlei, Lambert’s Bay, on Friday morning.
Also read: NSRI urges beachgoers to swim only in lifeguard-designated areas
Shortly after 9:30am, the NSRI Lambert’s Bay duty crew was activated in response to police reports of a capsized boat carrying three local fishermen.
The SA Police Services (SAPS), DRM (Disaster Risk Management), and WC Government Health EMS all responded.
The NSRI rescue vessel JetRib, Spirit of Saldanha, was launched.
NSRI Mykonos and SAPS WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services) were notified.
When rescuers arrived, they discovered that a Kreefte Bakkie (small open fishing boat) had capsized close inshore on a shallow bank while out fishing.
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All three men had been thrown in the water.
A crew on another fishing boat was able to rescue one man from the water and raised the alarm.
The crew of the other fishing boat searched for the two men, but both were missing.
They brought the survivor into Lambert’s Bay harbour, where EMS paramedics treated him for non-fatal drowning symptoms before transporting him to the hospital via EMS ambulance in a serious but stable condition.
During a sea and shoreline search, DRM and police located the two missing men in shallow surf. They waded into the surf and brought both men to the shore.
Unfortunately, both men were declared dead on the scene by paramedics.
The bodies of the two deceased men were taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
Police have opened an inquest docket.
The survivor is expected to make a full recovery.
The casualty boat washed onto rocks nearby.
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Picture: NSRI
