SA Air Force in daring rescue

2009-07-23 22:08

Cape Town - South African Air Force helicopters airlifted the crew of a stricken ship to safety shortly before it sank off the West Coast on Thursday afternoon.

The Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) said the captain of the bulk carrier Ioannis NK reported at 06:00 that his vessel was "taking on water and listing".

MRCC spokesperson Sarene Kloren told Sapa two SAAF helicopters, operating out of their Ysterplaat base in Cape Town, made two trips to remove the 20 crew.

"Sixteen non-essential crew members were taken off at 13:00, but four remained on board. Later in the afternoon, the four who’d stayed behind were taken off by a second helicopter because the ship was listing badly."

The rescue took place 98 nautical miles off Cape Columbine, near Saldanha Bay.

The vessel sank at 17:24 in deep water.

Kloren said the salvage tug Smit Amandla, which had steamed to the scene out of Cape Town on Thursday morning, would remain to assess the situation at first light on Friday.

She said the Ioannis NK, which was carrying a cargo of 22 500 tons of sugar, had reported it was taking on water in its number four hold.

It was listing at a 45 degree angle. The vessel was en route from Brazil to India.

Kloren said none of the crew was injured.

- SAPA