Skipper loses his life, crewman missing after boat capsizes in KZN

A skipper lost his life and one of his crew is still missing after a commercial fishing boat capsized at Umgababa Main Beach, between Scottburgh and Amanzimtoti on the KZN South Coast this morning.

The NSRI says there were reportedly four local adult men on the boat and three of them were rescued from the backline surf after the commercial fishing boat, a  5.5 meter rigid hull inflatable, capsized.

eThekwini municipal lifeguards launched into the water to assist, while fellow boats and fishermen in the area also helped in rescuing the men and bringing them ashore. Three of the crewmen were rescued including the skipper by eThekwini lifeguards and by fellow fishermen.

It was learned one crewman was missing and on shore the skipper suffered a medical condition.  Netcare 911 paramedics, eThekwini lifeguards, police medics and the NSRI lifeguard conducted extensive CPR efforts on the skipper, but after all efforts were exhausted, he was declared deceased the NSRI said.

NSRI Rocky Bay, an NSRI lifeguard, an NSRI Durban crewman, the SAPS, Police Search and Rescue, Netcare 911 ambulance, eThekwini Fire and Rescue Services, KwaZulu EMRS (Emergency Medical and Rescue Services), Metro Search and Rescue and the KZN surf lifesaving network,  Netcare 911 ambulance, eThekwini Fire and Rescue Services, KwaZulu EMRS (Emergency Medical and Rescue Services), Metro Search and Rescue had all responded to assist eThekwini lifeguards  at Umgababa Main Beach

The NSRI says a search is continuing for the missing man. A private aircraft and a police helicopter conducted aerial searches while police, NSRI, emergency services and eThekwini lifeguards searched the shoreline.

eThekwini lifeguards also launched surf rescue craft and conducted extensive search efforts for the missing crewman in and beyond the surf zone. Despite these searches there remains no signs of him and police plus lifeguards continue searching.

The deceased skipper has been taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services. Condolences are conveyed to this  family, friends and colleagues.