Fishing research vessel the Geo Searcher sank off Gough Island yesterday afternoon with 62 crew on board, the majority South African, the South African Maritime Authority (Samsa) has confirmed.
“All 62 crew have safely been recovered from the vessel and are now on Gough Island with one crew member having sustained slight injuries,” according to a Samsa statement.
“A multi-organisational effort to collect the 62 seafarers of the now sunken Belize-registered vessel, is under way,” said Samsa.
“SA research vessel SA Agulhas II sailed to Gough Island this morning to collect the seafarers who had abandoned their vessel after it reportedly struck a rock and started taking on water.”
It is expected to take about three days to reach the island, weather permitting. It is carrying two helicopters onboard which will assist in the transfer of the stricken seafarers from the island to the vessel.