A 38-year-old Greek seafarer is recovering in hospital after being rescued from the sea off Cape Town by a Good Samaritan fishing crew, supported by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and multiple emergency services.
A 38-year-old Greek seafarer is recovering in hospital after a dramatic rescue operation was launched when he fell overboard from a bulk carrier about seven nautical miles off Mouille Point in Table Bay.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said its Bakoven and Table Bay duty crews were activated after the Transnet National Ports Authority’s Table Bay Port Control reported a man overboard.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Telkom Maritime Radio Services, Netcare 911 and the Western Cape Government Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were also alerted, while NSRI rescue craft Gemini Legend and DHL Deliverer were launched.
According to the NSRI, the bulk carrier’s crew managed to keep the man afloat alongside the vessel using a life ring and rope but were unable to pull him back on board. A port supply vessel also attempted to assist but was similarly unable to recover him from the water.
Meanwhile, the fishing vessel McDuck, which was returning from fishing grounds off Camps Bay, heard radio communications about the emergency. After hearing a Pan Pan man overboard broadcast from Cape Town Radio, the skipper diverted the vessel to assist.
The crew of McDuck successfully recovered the seafarer from the water. It immediately began rewarming him after reporting that he was suffering from hypothermia and drifting in and out of consciousness.
As the fishing vessel headed towards shore, NSRI rescue craft intercepted it about halfway between the casualty vessel and land. Rescue swimmers boarded McDuck with medical equipment and continued treating the injured man.
Given his serious condition, rescuers decided it was safest to keep the patient aboard McDuck while the vessel was escorted to the NSRI Table Bay rescue base.
On arrival, EMS and Netcare 911 paramedics boarded the fishing vessel, stabilised the patient and transferred him by ambulance to hospital.
He remains in a serious but stable condition and is recovering under the care of doctors and nurses.
The NSRI commended the skipper and crew of McDuck for their swift actions, describing them as Good Samaritans whose intervention played a critical role in saving the man’s life.
The cause of the man falling overboard remains unknown. The NSRI also praised the coordinated response involving its Emergency Operations Centre, Table Bay Port Control, Cape Town Radio, the MRCC, emergency medical services, the shipping agent and other responders.
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