The NSRI has put out an urgent warning today, 1 May, to fishermen and vessels at sea off-shore of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay Coast to watch out for a large capsized vessel spotted floating semi-submerged about 9.8 nautical miles due South of Cape Point today.
NSRI Simonstown attached life-jacket strobe lights onto the wreck in an effort to make the wreck more visible to passing traffic as it is a maritime navigational hazard. The greatest concern is for fishermen going to normal fishing grounds deep-sea South of Cape Point before sunrise and coming back after sunset because the floating wreck is barely visible.
The NSRI was alerted about the floating wreck at 2 pm by fisherman who came upon the vessel. The NSRI Simonstown responded aboard the sea rescue craft Spirit Of Safmarine III and Eddie Beaumont II.
Sightings of the floating wreck have apparently been made before but it is unknown what vessel it is or where it originated. A Marine Biologist, who is also an NSRI Hout Bay volunteer and who accompanied NSRI Simonstown today, suspects that judging by barnacle growth on the wreck she may be about two months old.
Telkom Maritime Radio Services are posting a Maritime Navigational Hazard for vessels in the vicinity of South of Cape Point to be on alert. NSRI will attempt to monitor future sightings to track progress of the floating wreck.
(edited)
St Francis Chronicle 