The South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) is investigating the cause of a fire and subsequent grounding of the fishing vessel FV Silver Dorado near Cape Recife Lighthouse off Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) on Monday.
Samsa said the incident was first reported to the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at approximately 18h00 and by 22.30 the vessel had grounded in a rocky area near Cape Recife.
“At the time of the incident, the vessel was carrying approximately 14 tonnes of diesel fuel, 100 litres of lubricants, and eight 19kg LPG gas cylinders. No fish cargo was on board.
“All 21 crew members were successfully evacuated and transferred to Port Elizabeth harbour by 21h20. No injuries were reported, and no medical assistance was required,” the authority said.
Samsa said a professional salvaging team had been appointed to manage firefighting and recovery operations. Measures had been taken to contain potential pollution risks and cargo checks had confirmed the hazardous substances on board, including the LPG cylinders.
“A navigation warning was issued and drift modelling was initiated to monitor the vessel’s movement. Weather forecasts are being reviewed and contingency plans are in place, including the possible deployment of additional support vessels.”
Samsa said it was working closely with Transnet National Ports Authority, the National Sea Rescue Institute, the Department of Transport and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, to ensure compliance with maritime safety and pollution prevention regulations.
“The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) is on site and actively monitoring the area for any signs of affected seabirds. At this stage, the pollution risk is unknown,” Samsa said.
“The investigation will focus on determining the cause of the fire, assessing environmental impact, and reviewing emergency response effectiveness. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.”
