The whole crew of a 35-metre longliner were rescued in an operation off Cape Town, with lifeboats operated by South Africa’s National Sea Rescue Institute central to the operation.
The stricken Oceana Amethyst began taking on waters and was under tow from a position approximately 30 nautical miles south-west of the Port of Table Bay. Although the crew’s expecation was that they would make it to Hout Bay harbour in good time, NSRI services in Hout Bay, Table Bay and Simonstown were placed on alert.
As sea conditions worsened, the decision was taken to launch, and NSRI Hout Bay rescue craft Nadine Gordimer and the NSRI Table Bay rescue craft DHL Deliverer were launched, accompanied by water pumps. An additional water pump had been delivered to NSRI Hout Bay by NSRI Simonstown crew.
The NSRI Table Bay rescue craft reached the casualty 20 nautical miles off Oudekraal, in 3-4 metre swells and 35 knot, gusting to 40 knot, winds.
It was clear that the casualty, heavy laden with water, despite her crew’s best efforts to pump it clear, was at risk of capsizing and almost immediately the towline was released while the crew abandoned their vessel into a life raft and the NSRI rescue craft rescued all 22 fishermen.
One man suffered an injury and he was treated onboard the NSRI rescue craft.
Oceana Amethyst sank shortly after the crew had abandoned it.
NSRI brought all 22 fishermen to the NSRI Table Bay rescue station where EMS paramedics tended to the injured man who was transported to hospital by EMS ambulance in a stable condition and he is recovering. The remaining 21 crew were assessed by paramedics and they were released in good health.
The environmental impact of the sunken fishing trawler is being assessed by authorities.
