Avril Mocke, NSRI Lamberts Bay station commander, said: At 09h32, Friday, 26 January, NSRI Lamberts Bay duty crew were activated following reports from Police of a boat capsized at Grootvlei, Lamberts Bay, with 3 local fishermen onboard.
The SA Police Services (SAPS), DRM (Disaster Risk Management) and WC Government Health EMS were responding.
Our NSRI rescue craft JetRib, Spirit of Saldanha, was launched.
NSRI Mykonos and SAPS WPDS (Water Policing and Dive Services) were alerted.
On arrival on the scene it was determined that a Kreefte Bakkie (small open fishing boat) had capsized close inshore on a shallow bank while fishing.
All three men had been thrown into the water.
The crew on a fellow fishing boat was able to rescue one man from the water and they raised the alarm.
The crew on the fellow fishing boat searched for the two men but both were missing.
They brought the survivor into Lamberts Bay harbour where he was treated for non-fatal drowning symptoms by EMS paramedics and transported to hospital by EMS ambulance in a serious but stable condition.
During a sea and shoreline search DRM and Police spotted the 2 missing men in shallow surf. They waded into the surf and recovered both men onto the shore.
Sadly both men were declared deceased on the scene by paramedics.
The bodies of the 2 deceased men were taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
Police have opened an inquest docket.
The survivor is expected to make a full recovery.
The casualty boat washed onto rocks nearby.
Condolences are conveyed to family, friends and colleagues of the 2 deceased fishermen.
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