High drama off Cape coast

2008-07-31 20:30

Cape Town - The crews of two fishing boats have been brought to safety at Melkbosstrand after both ran aground in rough seas.

About 20 crew were brought to safety.

The NSRI's Rhine Barnes said on Thursday afternoon they'd been called out after a 20m fishing trawler, Weskus 1, confirmed it was running aground at Kreeftebaai near Melkbosstrand.

Her six crew were preparing to abandon ship in swells of up to 6m and a 30-knot wind, he said.

"The incident followed an initial report to Maritime Rescue Authorities just after 10:00, Weskus 1 reported to have rope fouled around her propeller."

A fishing trawler, Seawin Sapphire, which happened to be in the area at the time, tried to help.

While Seawin was attempting to assist Weskus 1, she reported to Maritime Authorities to have hit a reef and sustained damaged to her propeller, but neither vessel was prepared to declare an emergency at the time.

Cops helped crew ashore

"(But) just after 14:00 Weskus 1's skipper declared that his crew could no longer prevent his vessel from running aground and the National Ports Authority activated the NSRI.

"We launched our rescue craft Spirit of Rotary Blouberg, NSRI Table Bay launched their rescue craft Spirit of Vodacom and NSRI Bakoven were placed on alert.

"When we arrived at the scene, Weskus 1 had run aground and her crew had been helped ashore by NSRI volunteers and local police.

"No one was injured except for some suffering mild hypothermia.

"It should be noted that under the extreme circumstances the local police who had responded to the scene in their patrol vehicles, entered the surf in full uniform to help victims ashore.

"Seawin, with 13 crew on-board, was about 700m off-shore at this stage, and her skipper reported his vessel to be in difficulties with her damaged propeller.

"It had been damaged earlier after hitting a reef while trying to assist Weskus 1, and in the big surf she too drifted towards shore and was at risk of running aground.

"Attempts were made to get the crew off Seawin, but conditions were too rough and just after 17:10 she too ran aground.

"Her 13 crew jumped from the vessel and were assisted ashore by NSRI volunteers, police divers and metro rescue divers.

- News24