FV Lepanto, a South African-flagged fishing trawler. (Samsa)
- The search for 11 missing Cape Town fishermen continues.
- The nine crew members were found unharmed and rescued.
- Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said his office had been contacted to assist with the search.
A massive search continues for 11 fishermen missing at sea after a commercial trawler sank 34 nautical miles (about 63 kilometers) off Cape Town's Hout Bay on Friday, with all efforts underway. A search is underway.
The South African Maritime Safety Authority's (SAMSA) Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) said it received a distress call at around 15:34 on Friday that the fishing vessel FV Lepanto was sinking rapidly west of Slangkop lighthouse. .
Read | Massive search begins after 11 Cape Town fishermen go missing at sea
“The distress call received by Telkom Maritime Services prompted an immediate response. Nearby fishing vessels, FV Harvest Mzansi and FV Almana responded to the mayday call and headed to the scene,” said SAMSA's Tebogo Ramatsie. .
Ramazie added that the FV Almana successfully rescued nine crew members, while 11 others were still missing.
Nine crew members were rescued from the life raft and brought to shore unharmed.
See also | 22 fishermen rescued from capsized boat in Cape Town's Table Bay
MRCC Cape Town is coordinating search and rescue operations.
He added: “All involved are working diligently to locate the missing crew members.”
Minister for Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Barbara Creasy expressed shock and sadness following the tragedy.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the missing fisherman and his family as we await news of search and rescue operations,” Creasey said.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said his office had contacted him to assist in the search for the missing fishermen.
Winde added:
I was very grateful to hear that 9 crew members were safely rescued. Both the rescue team and the missing people are top of mind for me. We are also thinking about the families and loved ones of the missing.
The cause of the incident remains unknown.
