Investigations into Hout Bay fishing trawler incident continues

There are still many unanswered questions concerning the capsized Sea Harvest fishing trawler incident. 11 fishermen are presumed to have drowned. And Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, says she has never dealt with an incident of this magnitude, during her five years in the position.

Creecy met with some survivors and family members of the missing fishermen on Wednesday, in an engagement that went on for several hours. The key takeaway from the survivors is that the 17 May incident happened quickly. There is still little knowledge on how.

Survivors and families’ response

Creecy met with four of the nine survivors, noting that they are still in shock.

For the families of the missing fisherman, she says, the situation has been painful and very raw. Some of the families she’s met thus far have noted the difficulty in explaining the situation to their children.

“To be facing a situation of loss where there’s no confirmation of the deceased, in terms of a body – it really is an enormously difficult situation.”

In a statement, the Sea Harvest Group noted that it will be holding a private service for the families of the lost seaman.

Investigation

After three days offshore Hout Bay, the trawler capsized with 20 fishermen on board. Nine men were rescued, but eleven others were not. These missing fishermen are thought to be onboard the sinking vessel, which Creecy says is roughly 350 meters below the surface of the ocean.

South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is responsible for the investigation of the incident.

“All matters pertaining to the history of the vessel itself, to whatever kinds of repairs that may have been conducted… or anything else that would have been conducted on the vessel… is part of the formal investigation,” says Creecy.

Little else regarding the probe was revealed.

Creecy says SAMSA will be meeting with the survivors and families of the missing fishermen on Thursday, to discuss their investigation.

Sea Harvest Group spokesperson, Anthea Abraham, says they will assist – especially in a bid to clarify allegations of their vessels’ safety.

“We are co-operating and engaging meaningfully and transparently with SAMSA… We can, however, confirm that the MFV Lepanto, like all Sea Harvest vessels, was governed by a comprehensive maintenance system, with adherence to a robust and ongoing mandatory service regime as prescribed by the authorities.”

Sea Harvest employees

Creecy clarified that all 20 fishermen involved in the incident are employed by the Sea Harvest Group. This is notable, as the company tries to establish how to deal with the legal aspects of the incident. Specifically, how it should manage the financial dealings of the “presumed drowned” fishermen.

“At the moment, Sea Harvest is undertaking legal advice on the issue of how one moves from a situation of ‘presumed missing’ to a permanent determination. And how that process can be most appropriately handled in the interest of the families.”

Furthermore, Creecy says COSATU and the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) joined her in the meeting with survivors and families.

Trade union response

Reflecting on the incident, 5 days later – FAWU’s Western Cape Secretary, Zolani Mbanjwa, says he understands some of the seamen’s concern that search for the 11 was called off, prematurely.

“For us to find solace… comfort… closure, you need to know where are the bones of the son [or] your husband.”

Mbanjwa says they’re engaging with Sea Harvest Group’s management to address this and see if there is any way that they can recover the bodies.

He further called on fishing industry stakeholders to make a greater effort to enforce measures that will ensure the safety of fishermen at sea.