Mossel Bay: Fisherman Washes Ashore

The body of one man has been recovered and one man remains missing after the local fishing boat that the two men had been on was located washed ashore East of Gouritsmond on Sunday.

Police divers (WPDS – Water Policing and Diving Services) are continuing in ongoing search efforts for the local man, age 58, missing at Gouritsmond.

During an extensive search operation on Sunday the body of a man, age 47, from Mossel Bay, was located and recovered at the scene.

JC Roos, NSRI Mossel Bay station commander, said:

At 05h13, Sunday, 27 April, NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a local 21 foot fishing ski-boat overdue at Gouritsmond.

The fishing vessel had launched at Gouritsmond, Cape South Coast, between Still Bay and Mossel Bay, on Saturday afternoon, with the 2 local men onboard, both experienced skippers and experienced fishermen, that was reportedly due back, we believe, during early Sunday morning, but failing to return the alarm was raised

The NSRI Mossel Bay rescue craft Spirit of Safmarine III and St Blaise Rescuer were launched while NSRI Still Bay launched the NSRI Still Bay rescue craft Breede Rescuer.

NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), NSRI Operations headquarters and NSRI Mossel Bay plotted search grids while Telkom Maritime Radio Services broadcast an all ships alert on the marine VHF radio emergency frequency.

A number of local craft and local fishing vessels, private aircraft (private fixed wing aircraft, remote drone aircraft and private helicopters), the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter, the SA Police Services, Police WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services) and WC Government Health EMS rescue squad, joined NSRI in the extensive search and rescue operation.

During extensive sea, air and shoreline search efforts the casualty boat was found appearing to be washed ashore East of Gouritsmond where during the ongoing search the body of one of the men, age 47, from Mossel Bay, was located and recovered at the scene on the shoreline, sadly deceased.

The body of the deceased man has been taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services and Police.

Condolences are conveyed to the family and friends of the deceased man.

An extensive search continued for the missing man, age 58, from Gouritz, and Police divers are tasked to continue in ongoing search efforts. There remains no signs of the missing man.

Thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing man.

Family of the men are supported by NSRI, Chaplain’s Services and Police.

Thoughts, care and compassion, are extended to everyone involved in this tragic incident – the causes of the vessel being found (appearing to be) washed ashore remain unknown.

Families of the 2 men have respectfully requested privacy in this difficult time.

We are appealing to local community, the local maritime community and vessels at sea in the area of Gouritsmond, to keep a sharp look-out for the missing man.