[Image: NSRI / X]
There are still no signs of a local 31-year-old fisherman who went missing from a local charter fishing boat offshore of Struisbaai on Saturday.
NSRI Agulhas duty crew were activated following reports of a local male fisherman from the Eastern Cape and living and working in Struisbaai, who was reported missing off a local charter fishing boat in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The fishing vessel launched at around 5 AM from Struisbaai Harbour, reaching fishing grounds at the 5-Mile Banks, approximately 4.2 nautical miles offshore of Struisbaai Harbour. While preparing to begin fishing operations, it was discovered that their colleague was no longer on the boat from unknown circumstances, and the alarm was raised. He is suspected to have gone overboard.
The fishing vessel had initiated a search for their colleague while an NSRI Agulhas coxswain, on a private fishing boat nearby, then joined in the search operation. Local commercial and recreational fishing vessels in the area at the time were also diverted to assist in extensive search operations.
Despite the extensive search involving at least 10 vessels, there remain no signs of the missing fisherman.
The NSRI is appealing to the local maritime community to keep a sharp lookout.
[Source: NSRI]
