Three members of the South African Navy who died last week during an exercise near Kommetjie will be remembered at a joint memorial service on Wednesday.
Also read: Africa’s first female submarine navigator among the three mariners killed
The deceased, Lieutenant Commander Gillian Elizabeth Hector (Executive Officer), Master Warrant Officer William Masela Mathipa (Coxswain) and Warrant Officer Class One Mmokwapa Lucas Mojela (Coxswain under training) were reportedly swept out to see while standing on the deck of the SA Navy submarine SAS Manthatisi.
The crew was using the SA Air Force Maritime Lynx helicopter to conduct a vertical transfer as they travelled to Cape Town. The VERTREP evolution was abruptly abandoned, according to the SANDF, and rescue operations were started.
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The SA National Defence Force urged the people of Simons Town and the general public to support the SA Navy and to attend a public, inclusive memorial service to honour those who have died. The request was made in a statement released on Sunday.
The memorial service will be held on 27 September at 10 am at the Wynberg Military Indoor Sport Centre, Area Health Military Unit (2 Military Hospital), Wynberg (Access gate through Alphen Hill and Buren Roads).
The families of the officers have requested time and space to grieve in the meantime.
The SANDF asked the media to give the families enough time and space to grieve and honour the lives of the sailors who had died. The SANDF said it had taken note of all the inquiries and questions regarding the submarine incident.
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