News24 reports that the search for 11 missing fishermen who went missing after their vessel, MFV Lepanto, sank on Friday at about 15:34, has been called off.
Sea Harvest, the company that owns the fishing trawler which sank 34 nautical miles (nearly 63km) off the coast of Hout Bay, confirmed that the search had been called off due to the significant time that had lapsed since the boat sank. An extensive search and rescue operation took place, but tragically the missing crewmen are now presumed drowned. Sea Harvest CEO Felix Ratheb said: "We are working closely with the relevant authorities, primarily the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa), to establish the cause of the accident as soon as possible. We wish to thank our employees and the rescue organisations for their active search and rescue operations since Friday." According to the Samsa's Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), they received a distress call about a vessel rapidly sinking, west of Slangkop Lighthouse. Nearby fishing vessels responded to the mayday call and the FV Armana successfully rescued nine crew members, leaving 11 others unaccounted for. The nine crewmen were rescued from a life raft and brought to shore unharmed. Samsa's Tebogo Ramatjie confirmed that after reviewing progress of search efforts, the continuous lack of sighting reports, and the unfavourable weather, the MRCC had decided to conclude the search and rescue effort.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24
- Read too, Premier, Cape Town mayor visit families of 11 fishermen presumed drowned at sea, at News24
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