Six fishermen and their boat Berta Fishing Experience are missing at sea

-Edited by Bev Mortimer – A Big search is underway by the NSRI and many rescue organisations for six fishermen men and their boat Berta Fishing Experience, missing at sea south of Cape point .

An extensive search operation is ongoing for 6 adult fishermen, believed to be from Hout Bay and from Hawston in the Western Cape,  who are missing at sea plus their boat,  a grey Ballistic 7.8 meter rigid hull inflatable boat, called Berta Fishing Experience, is also missing. 

 The NSRI has put out an urgent appeal to the maritime community to be on the lookout for the men and their  oat after the rescue organisation was contacted on  Sunday morning by concerned family, colleagues and friends of the fishermen who were overdue  of their return time.

The NSRI says it  appeared they may have been in deep sea, South or South West of Cape Point late on Saturday evening. A search involving NSRI rescue craft, commercial fishing and motor vessels and recreational fishermen has as yet found no signs of the missing men and their boat

MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre), supported by NSRI’s EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), (TNPA) Transnet National Ports Authority Cape Town Port Control, NSRI Simonstown, NSRI Hermanus, NSRI Hout Bay, NSRI Kommetjie, NSRI Table Bay and NSRI operations controllers, the SA Police Services, Police Sea Borderline Control and (WPDS) Water Policing and Diving Services, are assisting in search grid plotting over an extensive search area deep sea South and South West of Cape Point, where it is believed that the 6 local men were reportedly fishing during Saturday afternoon and night.

 Telkom Maritime Radio Services are broadcasting an all ships marine VHF radio broadcast alerting vessels in the area to be on the lookout.

Ski-Boat Mobile and local boating and maritime communities are assisting to spread the word for all vessels and ships at sea to report any sightings.

  Missing persons cases have been opened by family. An extensive search operation is still underway .

“Our thoughts are with the families, colleagues and friends, of the missing men in this difficult time,” the NSRI says.