Update: Monday 16:30 – The body of 38-year-old kite surfer Graham Howes has been found at sea after an extensive search off Bloubergstrand.
Multiple rescue crews, aircraft, and volunteers scoured the coastline towards Dassen Island before his body was located by a local yacht on Monday.
This morning, Howes’ kite-surf sail and kite-surf board were first located and recovered, followed by his body.
The NSRI’s Craig Lambinon has conveyed condolences to his family, who have requested privacy.
“The extensive efforts by all involved in this incredible effort that has helped the family with closure is commended.”
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Original story: A search is underway offshore Eden on the Bay for a kite surfer who disappeared there on Sunday.
The 38-year-old man, identified as Graham Howes, was last seen at around 13h00 wearing a black wetsuit and on a blue and black kiteboard with a white kite sail with red writing.
Spokesperson for the National Sea Rescue Institute, Craig Lambinon, says initial search operations were launched on Sunday night just before 20h00, but were continued in the early hours of Monday morning. Thus far, there’s been no sign of him.
Lambinon said Howes is an experienced local kite-boarder from Bloubergstrand. The alarm was raised after he failed to return home, as expected, by late afternoon.
A police investigation is also underway, and Lambinon noted that “all possibilities are being investigated”.
“Camera footage obtained by local security indicates sighting Graham, on a blue and black kite-board, with a white kite sail with red writing, in a black wet suit, at after 13h00 on Sunday – in the vicinity offshore of Eden on the Bay.”
Lambinon advised that rescue efforts included NSRI rescue craft from Melkbosstrand, Table Bay and Yzerfontein, shoreline patrols, and an EMS Metro Rescue drone unit conducting aerial infrared searches. Authorities involved in the operation include the SA Police Service, the City of Cape Town’s water rescue network, and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre.
Despite this extensive operation, Howes remains missing, with search grids now extending far out to sea towards Robben Island, Bokpunt and between Yzerfontein and Dassen Island. This, Lambinon said, is on account of weather, wind and sea currents.
“We are appealing to the local community and the fishing, sailing, private and commercial maritime community, in the area between Blouberg Beach and North West along the West Coast towards Dassen Islands and beyond to keep a sharp look out.”
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