Minister Commends NSRI for Successful Rescue On Robben Island

 

 

I would like to take this opportunity of expressing my sincere thanks and appreciation for the excellent rescue undertaken by the NSRI early this morning.

 

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) successfully completed a rescue operation of 12 crew members who were aboard a fishing trawler "Claremont" that ran aground on the south-western side of Robben Island at 00:04 on Tuesday morning.

 

Crew members were all accounted for and the operation was completed at 05:17 today. The crew of 12 males, aged between 18 and 52, were transported to Groote Schuur and New Somerset hospitals, where they are in stable conditions and treated for hypothermia and shock.

 

A mayday distress call was received at 00:04 on Tuesday 13 August and the NSRI’s Table Bay, Melkbosstrand and Bakoven crews were activated.

 

The suspected cause of the incident, according to Pat Van Eyssen, NSRI Table Bay station commander, is that it appears the vessel lost motor power, which resulted in the vessel drifting ashore in stormy seas with five- to six-metre breaking swells.

 

Through very challenging weather conditions, NSRI teams, along with the Western Cape Government Health EMS crews as well as aircraft support from the Red Cross AMS Skymed and SA Air Force Oryx helicopters, worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of the crew. The crew abandoned ship under their captain’s instruction and were helped ashore by NSRI swimmers.

 

The vessel overturned on Robben Island at 09:00. Atlatech Salvors, City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management Centre and SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) departed to Robben Island where teams are assessing the environmental impact and marine life.