Flooding caused Hout Bay boat accident
2012-10-24 18:32
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2012-10-18 09:46
Hundreds paid tribute to John Roberts. The tour guide died when the Miroshga vessel capsized in Hout Bay. Roberts reportedly gave his life jacket to a passenger. Watch.WATCH
Johannesburg - Flooding caused a Hout Bay boat accident that claimed the lives of two people, the SA Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) said on Wednesday.
"The accident happened as a result of water rushing into the aft port and fuel tank compartments," said regional manager Dave Colly.
"This, combined with incorrect wiring of the port bilge pump, resulted in the pump not operating when activated by the water level float switch."
Other compartments flooded "at a rate faster" than the capacity of the remaining bilge pump.
The charter boat Miroshga overturned in Hout Bay about two weeks ago with 39 people on board.
British tourist Peter Hyett, 64, and crew member John Roberts, 37, drowned.
In an accident report released on Wednesday, Colly said the first engine stopped first as a result of loss of electrical power.
The second engine "suffered catastrophic failure" a short time later due to flooding through the engine air intakes, said Colly.
With all propulsion power lost, the boat eventually capsized in heavy waves.
"Upon realising that he was unable to restart either of the engines, the captain called for help through his radio."
The boat's first Local General Safety Certificate (LGSC) was issued in September 2003 for operation as a small passenger vessel carrying 45 people.
It was built in Port Elizabeth in 2002 under Samsa supervision.
- SAPA
