-Edited by Bev Mortimer- A fishing boat capsized at Kommetjie early this morning near Slangkop Lighthouse in Kommetjie and three fishermen went missing from the wreck. One was found deceased, another is still missing at sea and the third survived .
One fisherman managed to reach shore, another’s lifeless body was found and he had was was presumed to have drowned, while the third fisherman is still missing.
Dave Smith, NSRI Kommetjie station commander, said NSRI Kommetjie, station 26, volunteer duty crew, were alerted at 8.13 am this morning after two reports of a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat ( RHIB) experienced mechanical failure offshore of the Crayfish Factory, near to Kommetjie.
While NSRI crew were investigating the Soetwater Resort security reported that one of the missing fishermen had arrived there and raised the alarm for two of his fellow fishermen, missing at sea.
Soetwater Resort security cared for the man while the alarm was raised. NSRI Kommetjie rescue swimmers responded and found their RHIB washed onto rocks. The deceased, adult man was was found near to the wreck of the boat.
A search started for the other missing man .Cape Medical Response, SA Police Services, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, WC Government Health EMS rescue squad and ambulance, the Metro EMS rescue squad drone unit, City of Cape Town Law Enforcement and SAPS Water Policing and Dive Services responded to join NSRI Kommetjie on the scene.
The survivor was treated on the scene by paramedics and in a stable condition he was reunited with family members at the scene.
NSRI rescue swimmers were deployed into the surf to conduct free dive sweeping line search efforts while the Metro EMS rescue drone was deployed and conducted aerial search efforts.
The wreck of the casualty RHIB was been recovered onto the shoreline.
P)lice divers are continuing in an ongoing search effort for the missing man. Government Health Forensic Pathology Services has taken the body of the deceased man into their care.
NSRI extended condolences to family and friends of the deceased man. The SAPS opened an Inquest docket.
St Francis Chronicle 