NSRI Hermanus duty crew were activated following eye-witness reports from a former NSRI Hermanus crew member and Hermanus Neighbourhood Watch member of a man that was swept off rocks and into the sea at The Esplanade, Hermanus.
A search was conducted on Saturday midday.
Andre Barnard, NSRI Hermanus station commander, said:
“The sea rescue craft Rotarian Burnett was launched and NSRI rescue swimmers, our NSRI rescue vehicle, Law Enforcement, Neighbourhood Watch and the SA Police Services responded.
On arrival at the scene, a search commenced for a 25-year-old male, believed to be from a Farm in the Hemel en Aarde Valley, who had last been seen in the surf off-shore opposite The Windsor Hotel.”
Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search by the crew, there remains no sign of the missing man. He was believed to be on the rocks collecting bait for fishing when a series of waves swept him off.
An investigation has been opened by Police and the Police Dive Unit will continue in an ongoing search operation.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the man’s family, his partner and friends in this difficult time.
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Picture: NSRI