Durban ship rescues nine off Angolan coast

TERRY HUTSON
A SOUTH African container ship, Ocean Africa Container Line’s Range, was able to perform a quick but dramatic rescue of nine seafarers off the Angolan coast after their cargo ship capsized.
Range was on course from Cape Town to Luanda when she received a radio call for help from the stricken ship, the Bolivian-flagged Seresa, and Walvis Radio, announcing that the Seresa’s cargo of fish meal had shifted causing the 1127-gt ship to list dangerously.
When the list did not correct the crew abandoned ship onto a life raft at a point 28 n.miles off the Kunene River mouth.
Fortunately Range was only 40 minutes sailing distance away and was able pick up all nine crew, which included several South Africans listed as passengers. During the pickup operation the Seresa capsized and sank.
The rescued crew was taken to Lobito in Angola before Range resumed her voyage.