There is still no sign of a 35-year-old fisherman who disappeared after
his boat capsized on Tuesday 2 February, north of Paternoster.
“Despite an extensive search there remains no sign of the missing
fisher,” said Mike Shaw, NSRI Mykonos station commander on Friday morning.
NSRI Mykonos were called to assist just after 06:00 on Tuesday morning
after the boat capsized.
“Our sea rescue craft Spirit of East London II was towed to
Paternoster and launched to begin a search in the vicinity of Seal Island,
approximately five nautical miles north of Paternoster.”
The SA Police Service was at Paternoster Beach
where the 4-metre kreef bakkie (small open fishing boat) was
brought ashore by a fellow fishing boat.
Shaw said a 14-year-old local male, who had been found on the casualty
boat at Seal Island, had also been brought to Paternoster Beach by the fellow
fishermen, who towed the boat.
The teenager, believed to be the nephew of the missing fishermen,
sustained no injuries, the NSRI commander said.
The MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) assisted in coordinating a
search and plotting search grids. Police divers also assisted the NSRI with the
search.
Police spokesperson Tania Helfrich said they are aware of the missing man.
“No docket has been opened and it is an ongoing search,” she added.
