A capsized catamaran was found floating about 50 nautical miles North East of East London, today, 18 October, (40 nautical miles off-shore of Cape Morgan) and its two crew members are missing.
The catamaran departed Durban on Friday bound for East London with 2 crew onboard. Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre received an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon activation and ships in the area were asked to investigate. A Search and Rescue operation coordinated by MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) was also started to find the missing crew.
NSRI East London volunteer duty crew dispatched the sea rescue craft Spirit of Lotto, accompanied by East London Fire and Rescue Services rescue divers and Eastern Cape Government Health EMS rescue paramedics. An SA Air Force 15 Squadron Oryx helicopter, with navy divers, a Netcare 911 rescue paramedic and NSRI Air Sea Rescue swimmers were dispatched.
The first ships to arrive at the location found the hull of a catamaran adrift. A life-raft was also found adrift nearby but no sign of the crew was found. Numerous ships have joined in the search.
It is unknown what caused the catamaran to capsize by NSRI reports that yesterday sea conditions were rough and there were with gale force winds gusting up to 50 knots.
The fate of the two missing crew is unknown and the Search and Rescue operation is still underway.
Edited by St Francis Chronicle
St Francis Chronicle 