Edited – A Cape Town man reported his brother went missing from a yacht in rough seas on 3 October off Port St Johns when waves swept over the yacht in deep seas.
About 1pm on that day NSRI Emergency Operations Centre was alerted by Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (NRCC) and NSRI Port St Johns was placed on alert while Telkom Maritime Radio Services broadcast an all ships alert. NSRI Durban, East London and Port Edward were also placed on alert.
In the late afternoon the yacht was located by a tanker and the brother of the missing man was rescued from the yacht onto the tanker and taken to Durban.
It is reported that his in the early hours of the morning. The yacht was not damaged but adrift at sea.
Family members arranged fixed wing aircraft to conduct a search on fishing and commercial boats searched an extensive area off-shore of Port St Johns.
NSRI Shelly Beach ASR (Airborne Sea Rescue) rescue swimmers accompanied one of the aircraft. A private helicopter searched along the shoreline of the Eastern Cape. NSRI EOC and NSRI operations assisted MRCC with search grid patterns.
Despite the extensive air and sea search no signs of the missing brother were found..
An investigation was also launched by the SAPS and South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)
The Captain and crew of the tanker were commended for their assistance. NSRI commended everyone who assisted in the search.
NSRI commend Telkom Maritime Radio Services for extensive efforts assisting in communications during search efforts.
The family requested requested privacy and NSRI says their thoughts are with family and friends of the missing man in this difficult time.
Photo courtesy Andrew Ingram
