Search Operation Following Sighting of Capsized Boat
www.MyPE.co.za:
Daniel Heimann, NSRI Port Elizabeth duty coxswain said: “NSRI Port
Elizabeth volunteers searched, aboard our NSRI rescue craft Spirit of
Toft, extensively throughout the afternoon following the sighting, by
the crew aboard a Chokka Fishing Boat, of a suspected capsized ski-boat
drifting 5 nautical miles off-shore of the Swartkops River Mouth. The
Chokka Boat crew sighted what they believe to have been the upturned
hull of a capsized ski-boat and they alerted the authorities.
Our extensive search has revealed no sign of the suspected capsized
boat.
We suspect that this may have been the boat which ran aground last week
off Cape Recife (which might have been washed back out to sea in the
storm conditions) or it could perhaps have been a boat that broke her
mooring and washed out of the Swartkops River Mouth. There is also a
possibility that it could have been some kind of debris or flotsam that
might have resembled the upturned hull of a ski-boat in the rough sea
conditions.
No one has been reported missing or overdue and there are no reports of
any ski-boats unaccounted for. Included in the search we investigated
all slip-ways but there are no vehicles and trailers unaccounted for.
The extensive search revealed no sign of anyone in any kind of
difficulty on the sea despite the 4 metre swells and gusting up to 56
knot winds. While we will continue to monitor the situation our rescue
craft has returned to our rescue base and will re-launch if and when
new information comes to light.”
If anyone has information that can assist with this matter they should
call the NSRI Port Elizabeth emergency phone number on (041) 5071911.
Related Links:
Mayday,
Mayday, Mayday, This is Seeker.
Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation
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