Overberg Angling

15:30 - 26/10/09
I have just learned that a commecial fishing boat capsized in Mosselbay earlier today in strong winds. Info is scetchy at the moment but the hull is drifting towards the shore and unfortunately the crew did not make it. Apparently 6 crew members passed away in the rough seas.
NSRI etc. are on the scene.

Whether commercial fishermen, or a fellow angler. We all do fishing for various reasons, and hereby we send our deepest condolences to those affected by this tragedy. I will update this post when I get more info on the story

from the OverbergAngling Team, members and friends

Mossel Bay fisherman is still missing

October 26 2009 at 11:14PM


The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) was late on Monday still searching for a fisherman after a trawler capsized in heavy seas in Mossel Bay.

Four of the six crew members' bodies washed up on beaches in Mossel Bay during the afternoon, NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said.

A fifth man was rescued by a police boat shortly after the trawler, called Mandy, capsized at noon.

"At this stage all efforts are being employed to find the missing crew member."

Rescue workers were battling swells of almost eight metres and winds of 57 knots, conditions in which the vessel capsized at The Point.

"A police boat was in the area at the time. They responded... and rescued one crew member."

He was taken to hospital in a stable condition and treated for hypothermia.

"One of the crew members' bodies washed up during the day on Debakde Beach and three others washed up on Dias beach at different times during the day."

All of them were taken to the state mortuary. The boat was lying on its side off Dias beach and starting to break up.

The families of the deceased and the missing man were receiving counselling while the search continued.

"No decision has been taken on how long the search would continue," Lambinon said. The NSRI was getting help from the SAPS, Mossel Bay Fire and Rescue Services, Metro Ambulance Services, ER24 and Netcare 911.

"We also have a helicopter owned by a private owner, Kobus Krause, who often volunteers his helicopter for NSRI operations."

The South African Maritime Safety Authority would investigate the cause of the accident. - Sapa

Report courtesy of IOL News.

Thanks Martin for the update