Three Dead, Two Missing After Rescue Boat Capsizes Off South Africa

Three seafarers have died and two remain missing after a rescue boat capsized during an emergency response from the South African emergency towing vessel Umkhuseli.

The incident occurred Wednesday, September 30, while the vessel was conducting safety standby operations about 47 nautical miles south of Mossel Bay, according to operator African Marine Solutions, or AMSOL, and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA). 

Preliminary information indicates that a crew member fell overboard while working on deck. Four other crew members launched a fast rescue boat from the Umkhuseli in an attempt to recover the seafarer, but the rescue boat subsequently capsized, putting all five people in the water. 

The Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Cape Town activated a sea and air search and rescue response, with nearby vessels diverted to assist. The National Sea Rescue Institute and South African Police Service water wing and helicopter resources also joined the operation. 

Three AMSOL employees were recovered Wednesday and confirmed dead. Two others remained missing as of Thursday.

AMSOL said its tug Inkanyezi remained on scene as search and recovery efforts continued. SAMSA later said the active search and rescue operation had been concluded. 

“It is with a deep sense of sadness that we confirm the passing of three of our much loved and respected colleagues,” AMSOL Chief Executive Dan Ngakane said. The company said it has been in direct contact with the families of all five seafarers and is providing support. 

All five people involved were AMSOL employees. One was from Durban and four were from Cape Town, according to the company. Internal and external investigations have been launched, while SAMSA has opened a preliminary inquiry into the accident. 

The Umkhuseli is operated by AMSOL as an emergency towing and response vessel in partnership with South Africa’s Department of Transport and SAMSA. The vessel is maintained on continuous standby for emergency towage, salvage, environmental protection, search and rescue and other maritime response missions.

The vessel has been involved in several emergency operations around the South African coast this year, including assistance to disabled and drifting commercial vessels off Algoa Bay, Port Alfred and Cape Town.

The September 30 accident occurred while the Umkhuseli was near an offshore platform, according to SAMSA. Authorities have not yet said what caused the fast rescue boat to capsize.

Subscribe for Daily Maritime Insights

Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update

— trusted by our 107,116 members