In an official statement, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said while an inquiry is ongoing to further investigate the incident, the South African Navy has strongly asserted its commitment to training its officers and has placed responsibility for this week’s tragic accident during an exercise in Kommetjie, squarely on the forces of nature.
On Wednesday afternoon, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and various other emergency medical teams hurried to Kommetjie in Cape Town in response to reports of naval personnel encountering difficulties in the water after they were swept off the deck of a submarine near the Slangkop Lighthouse in Kommetjie.
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The submarine SAS Manthatisi was on its way to Cape Town and engaged in a vertical transfer operation with an SA Air Force Maritime Lynx helicopter when a sudden surge of high waves resulted in seven crew members being swept into the sea.
Lieutenant Commander Gillian Elizabeth Hector (serving as the executive officer), Master Warrant Officer William Masela Mathipa (fulfilling the role of coxswain), and Warrant Officer Class One Mmokwapa Lucas Mojela (in training as a coxswain) lost their lives tragically in this incident.
The officers who sustained injuries during the incident are Commander Charles Nkolo Phokane, who served as the Officer Commanding (OC), Lieutenant Melinyani Gobinca, who held the position of Weapons Officer, Warrant Officer Class 1 Brendan Daly, responsible for Submarine Escape Training Simulator and also serving as the safety swimmer from the helicopter who entered the water as a surface swimmer to assist, Warrant Officer Class 2 Ayanda Mahlobo, who led the Electrical Department’s Head of Section, and Warrant Officer Class 2 Charles Kriel, who served as the Head of Department for Detection.
Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, the Chief of the SA Navy, said, ‘The SA Navy Submarine Branch is a highly professional and well-trained organisation. That Mother Nature decided otherwise can’t be blamed on the SA Navy’s Professionalism. Tragedies of this nature happen all over the world with the navies. The Australian and Indian navy chiefs, as well as the US chief of naval operations were comforting me and shared their own similar experiences while they were at sea.’
‘As the Chief of the South African Navy, I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of three of our finest submariners, off the Kommetjie Coast on the Cape Peninsula on Wednesday, 20 September 2023.
Vice Admiral Lobese extended his heartfelt and sincere condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and shipmates of the three officers.
He also expressed his gratitude to the crews of the SAS MATHATISI and the SA Air Force Maritime Lynx Helicopter, along with the emergency responders and the dedicated members of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), for their heroic and selfless efforts in the rescue operation. Their swift actions undoubtedly prevented this dreadful incident from becoming even more catastrophic.
‘We will remember the souls of the departed brave heroes and heroine who passed away serving their country with pride and diligence. Now is the time for the SA Navy Family to unite and pray for the departed shipmates and their families. Let us all be strong and keep their families in our prayers and thoughts,’ concluded Vice Admiral Lobese.
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Picture: SA National Defence Force
