Police launch inquest into Lamberts Bay fishermen deaths

Police have opened an inquest docket into the deaths of two Lamberts Bay fishermen who died at the weekend after their fishing vessel capsized.

According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), its NSRI Lamberts Bay team were alerted by Police on Friday at 18:45 of a fishing vessel overdue.

Family members of the two local fishermen, Chester van der Heever (35) and Heshron van der Heever (31) had alerted the Police with concerns that the fishing vessel had not returned as expected.

An investigation into the matter was then launched by the NSRI Lamberts Bay team, in cooperation with the Police. Although it was not clear at the time where the 2 local fishermen, on the open fishing boat, had gone fishing – it was suspected that they had gone South of Lamberts Bay towards Elands Bay.

According to NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon, teams Launched a rescue craft and initiated a sweeping line search from inshore up to 15 nautical miles offshore between Lamberts Bay and Elands Bay.

“Telkom Maritime Radio Services broadcast an all-ship alert requesting vessels in the area to be on the lookout,” added Lambinon

The SA Police Services assisted to gather information and assist in shoreline search efforts.

Lambinon says the search was suspended at around midnight, and at first light on Saturday NSRI Lamberts Bay, St Helena Bay and Mykonos launched 2 rescue craft continuing extensive search efforts in the vicinity of Elands Bay and Lamberts Bay, inshore and to deep sea.

On Saturday evening, Police alerted the NSRI that a vessel matching the description of the missing vessel was located in shallow surf near Muisbosskerm, on the West Coast.

Police and local community members on the scene reportedly assisted in recovering the boat, that was found capsized in the surf, and to recover the bodies of the 2 fishermen who were found nearby deceased in shallow surf.

Lambinon says the bodies of the 2 deceased men were taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services and Police have opened an Inquest docket.

“Condolences are conveyed to the families of the deceased fishermen.”