The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) rescued three crewmen from a sinking local supply motor vessel that got into trouble in offshore winds of the Port of Port Elizabeth (Gqberha) on Monday afternoon.
NSRI duty coxswain Mark Dawson of the National Sea Rescue Institute, said the institute’s crew had been activated at around 13:25pm on Monday after Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) intercepted a Mayday distress call from the supply motor vessel.
He said there were three local crew onboard who were taking on water and sinking approximately eight nautical miles offshore.
“Telkom Maritime Radio Services broadcast an all-ships emergency alert while the NSRI Gqeberha rescue craft Rescue 6 Alpha was launched,” Dawson said.
MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre), Police Sea Borderline Control, NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), and EC Government Health EMS were alerted.
“A sister motor vessel had launched to go to their assistance, and the foreign bulk carrier motor vessel, which was due to be re-supplied by the casualty supply vessel, had diverted from her position and responded to assist,” Dawson said.
The three casualty crew had reported that they were abandoning the vessel because they had taken on water and were sinking.
He said the sister supply vessel rescued two casualty crewmen from the water while the bulk carrier rescued one casualty crewman after they managed to throw a rope line, pulling him on board.
“Against strong gusting South Easterly winds, our NSRI rescue craft arrived on the scene to find the casualty vessel semi-submerged with only her bow remaining above water.
“A lee, sheltering against the strong winds, was provided for our NSRI rescue craft by the bulk carrier motor vessel, sheltering our rescue craft from the strong winds,” Dawson said.
In the shelter of the lee, provided by the bulk carrier, all three crew were safely transferred onto the rescue craft.
“The casualty crew were brought to our NSRI Gqeberha station 6 rescue base where they were medically assessed by EMS paramedics before all three men were released in satisfactory conditions,” Dawson said.
Maritime authorities are assessing the environmental impact while efforts to salvage the casualty vessel are being evaluated by the owners and salvors.
