Search goes on for eight missing fishermen

The chokka fishing boat Maredon capsized at Sunset Rocks, Cape St Francis, and the SAAF 15 Squadron helicopter overhead. Photo: NSRI St Francis Bay

The chokka fishing boat Maredon capsized at Sunset Rocks, Cape St Francis, and the SAAF 15 Squadron helicopter overhead. Photo: NSRI St Francis Bay

Published Jul 17, 2017

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An extensive sea, air and shoreline search for eight fishermen entered the second day after their vessel capsized off Cape St Francis in the Eastern Cape on Sunday.

Police divers had to use cutting tools to breach the hull but no crew were found inside after the Maredon came aground.

One fisherman was found dead on Sunday.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and a police dive unit continued with their search yesterday.

“The search operation continues and the NSRI St Francis Bay remain on alert to assist police if requested.

"Shore patrols and a sea and air search continued with one fisherman confirmed dead, seven survivors of which six have been hospitalised and reported to be in stable conditions after the Maredon capsized at sea,” said NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon.

A 46-year-old surviving crew member described the ordeal to a local news outlet as "terrible", having been trapped under the boat for some time after it capsized.

He said the boat had been at sea for six days, after leaving the port on its first fishing expedition on Monday last week.

Police spokesperson Majola Nkohli said yesterday that police used power tools to cut a section of the hull.

“This allowed rescue crew to enter the wreck, but no bodies nor trapped survivors were found and sea conditions made it impossible for divers to commence an underwater search.

"For the better part of the day, rescue crew and other parties patrolled and searched the shore lines,” he said.

South African Maritime Safety Authority spokesperson Neville Noble said they were launching an investigation into the circumstances around the incident.

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