Updated article
Edited by Bev Mortimer- Three SA Navy mariners died, one is currently in a critical condition in hospital, and four were safely rescued after an SA Navy submarine accident occurred one nautical mile off Kommetjie in the Western Cape yesterday afternoon, 20 September.
NSRI Kommetjie Rescue craft
The SA Defence Force in a statement last night said rough conditions adversely affected rescue attempts. “All seven members were recovered but sadly there were three fatalities with one senior officer in critical condition,” the army said.
The SA Navy in a statement last night said the incident occurred during a vertical replenishment (vertrep) exercise with a Super Lynx helicopter when high waves swept seven crew members out to sea. “The vertrep evolution was immediately cancelled and efforts were launched to recover the members.
” A surface swimmer was dispatched from the helicopter to assist with the rescue. Unfortunately, the recovery operation was negatively affected by rough sea conditions,” the Navy said, adding a distress call was made, leading to the dispatch of the NSRI from Kommetjie.
“All seven members were recovered but sadly there were three fatalities with one senior officer in critical condition. The remaining members, including the surface swimmer, are currently being treated in hospital. The names of the members will be released once the next-of-kin have been informed,” the statement read.
The NSRI recounted yesterday that Kommetjie duty crew were activated after their station commander, Dave Smith, received a call from his neighbour to report that SA Navy personnel were believed to have washed off an SA Navy vessel off-shore of Slangkop Lighthouse.
While preparing to launch their NSRI rescue craft to rescue SA Navy mariners in the sea,NSRI Kommetjie received a ‘man overboard’ alert from the navy submarine.
NSRI stations of Hout Bay, Simonstown, Bakoven,Table Bay, Cape Medical Response, WC Government Health EMS rescue squad and ambulance, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, SA Police Services, SAPS WPDS – Water Policing and Dive Services, City of Cape Town(CT) Law Enforcement and Law Enforcement Marine Unit, Cape Town Traffic Services l, CT Disaster Risk Management and Kommetjie Community Neighbourhood watch responded.
MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) and TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) were alerted and assisted in coordinating a rescue operation, assisted by NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), NSRI duty controllers and the SA Navy Naval Command Post. The SA Air Force 22 Squadron, an Oryx helicopter and a Lynx helicopter, and NSRI ASR (Airborne Sea Rescue) were activated. Plus SA National Defence Force, SA Air Force, SA Navy, Military medical personnel and Military Police and SA Navy vessels in the area responded.
Two NSRI Kommetjie rescue craft arrived on the scene, 1 nautical mile off-shore of Slangkop Lighthouse. Three three SA Navy mariners were rescued onto one NSRI rescue craft, and four casualties rescued onto the other NSRI rescue craft.
CPR efforts were initiated on two of the men by paramedics who, despite all CPR efforts were declared deceased. One man was airlifted to hospital by a Netcare 911 air ambulance helicopter in the care of paramedics in a critical . Doctors and nurses were said to be fighting to save his life.
One SA Navy officer remained onboard. The woman officer was extricated from the submarine and CPR efforts commenced. NSRI Hout Bay assisted at the Navy submarine.
Despite extensive CPR efforts, the woman, an officer, was declared deceased. Her body was airlifted to the NSRI Hout Bay rescue station.
The bodies of the three deceased were taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services. Four remaining crew survivors were lightly injured and did not require hospitalisation.
The NSRI says condolences are conveyed to the families of the deceased and thoughts are with all affected by this tragic accident.
An investigation will be opened by the SA Navy and maritime authorities. The SAPS has opened inquest dockets on behalf of the deceased.
The NSRI says the swift response and cooperation between all services involved is commended. NSRI Media spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, said the commander’s neighbour is commended for not hesitating in raising the alarm. “We are confident his efforts contributed to saving lives today.
“At this stage all thoughts and efforts are concentrated towards the families who tragically have lost their loved ones, and the injured mariner, and our combined SA National Defence Force in this difficult time,”
An inquiry into the incident will be carried out. “The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, the Chief of the SANDF, Chief of the SA Navy and Flag Officer Fleet extended their sincere condolences to the families of the members who tragically lost their lives. The SANDF further extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to the emergency services who assisted in the recovery of the stricken submariners,” an SANDF statement said.
The SANDF Union (SANDU) National Secretary Pikkie Greeff said SANDU expressed its sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and injured members and wished to remind the public of the extreme and real risks which members of the SANDF expose themselves to in service of South Africa. “SANDU also expresses its gratitude to the efforts by the civilian rescue services as well as 22 Squadron of the SA Air Force in attending to the incident.”
