A search and rescue operation for 11 crew members of a sunken fishing trawler in the Atlantic Ocean about 34 nautial miles from Hout Bay has been called off, with an investigation of the incident now underway, says the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).
According to a SAMSA statement on Sunday, the search for the missing crew ensued on Friday afternoon after a distress call was received by the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) based at the SAMSA Centre for Sea Watch & Response in Cape Town, and during which a fishing trawler, FV Lepanto, reported to have taken water rapidly and was sinking fast.
SAMSA says at the time of the incident, the FV Lepanto, a 35 meters long and 7.5 meters wide fishing trawler registered in South Africa, had a crew of 20 fishermen onboard, and nine (9) of whom were soon located floating at sea nearby, and evacuated to Cape Town.
Soon after the distress call was received by the MRCC and broadcast back to other vessels at sea in the area, a number of vessels nearest to the casualty vessel, at a location of approximately 35 nautical miles in the Atlantic Ocean west of Slangkop Point in the Western Cape, joined the search and rescue operation.
The search continued through the rest of Friday into Saturday, involving at least four assigned fishing vessels in the vicinity, as well as a fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter dispatched from Cape Town. Late on Saturday, debris thought to be from the stricken and sunken trawler was spotted, however sadly, no sight of the missing crew was made, said SAMSA.
SAMSA said: “Following the sinking of the LEPANTO during the late afternoon of 17 May 2024 approximately 34 nautical miles west from Slangkop Point Light in Cape Town, rescue efforts continued for the 11 missing persons.
“The commendable efforts of the fishing vessels on 17 May, in the vicinity of the incident location, resulted in both a life raft recovered – one containing nine (9) survivors; and the other being empty.
“Unfortunately, even with the large number of vessels on-scene, none of the missing persons were found nor any undone life jackets.
“The MRCC Cape Town assigned search and rescue (SAR) patterns to the available craft, attempting to utilise the remaining daylight as best as possible. Unfortunately, no sighting of any of the 11 missing persons or even a life jacket was reported.
“A probable search area was developed by MRCC Cape Town in preparation for a night time search, and search patterns were assigned to the vessels. The MRCC was able to obtain rotor- and fixed wing resources through Aerios Global Aviation (AGA), with each aircraft were assigned a search pattern aligned with the capabilities provided. Unfortunately, no sightings were reported.
“The search continued in the morning of 18 May with a revised search area developed, and search patterns assigned to the vessels on scene. MRCC also tasked the AGA helicopter, which resulted in debris being spotted within the revised search area. The search continued for the remainder of the daytime without any other sighting reports.
“Those vessels remaining in the search area continued with their assigned search patterns until after sunset. A review of the search progression, the search efforts, and the continuous lack of sighting reports from the incident start, and the favourable weather, led the MRCC to conclude the SAR effort.
The loss of the 11 persons from the LEPANTO is most regrettable. MRCC Cape Town expresses its sincere condolences to the family members, friends, and colleagues of those lost to the sea.
A massive search is underway for 11 fishermen who are missing at sea after their fishing vessel sank approximately 30 nautical miles off-shore of the Atlantic Seaboard on Friday afternoon.
NSRI Hout Bay duty crew and NSRI Table Bay duty crew were activated at around 15h40, following a Mayday distress call that was received by Telkom Maritime Radio Services at 15h30.
At least 5 fishing vessels reached the search area where 9 of the 20 local fishermen were rescued. But there was no sign of the other 11.
The 9 survivors were not injured and they were brought to the Port of Table Bay aboard a fellow fishing vessel during the night.
The NSRI Hout Bay rescue craft Nadine Gordimer and Albie Matthews, and an NSRI Table Bay rescue craft, DHL Deliverer, were launched.
The SA Police Services, Police Sea Borderline Control, SAPS WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services), WC Government Health EMS Metro Control and rescue squad, DRM (Disaster Risk Management), Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services and CoCT (City of Cape Town) Law Enforcement Marine Unit were placed on alert.
TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Port of Table Bay Port Control and NSRI duty controllers assisted MRCC in the logistics and coordination of the search and rescue operation.
3 NSRI rescue craft arrived in the search area and joined fishing vessels in an extensive search operation for the 11 missing fishermen in 3 to 4 meter sea swells and 10 to 15 knot winds.
The fishing vessel appears to have sunk from unknown causes. Both life rafts, of the casualty fishing vessel, have been recovered.
An AGA (Aerios Global Aviation) helicopter and fixed wing aircraft joined in the search operation.
Despite an extensive air and sea search there remains no signs of 11 missing fishermen and a search operation is ongoing on Saturday.
Telkom Maritime Radio Services assisted with marine VHF radio communications and an all ships alert continues to be broadcast requesting vessels in the area to keep a lookout.
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