Cape Town - A body of a man was recovered and seven men were rescued after a boat ran aground at Bettys Bay, the National Sea Rescue Institute said on Thursday.
“It is believed that the vessel hit rocks after midnight in the vicinity of Voelklip, Bettys Bay,” spokesman Craig Lambinon said.
The crew reportedly jumped out of the boat and onto rocks.
“Information from the crew suggests that five jumped to safety first and three crew members stayed on board.
“The three that stayed on board later jumped to safety but one of the men may have injured his head on the rocks,” Lambinon said.
The body of the 43-year-old man was located by the Skymed rescue helicopter after he was reported as lost at sea, he said.
The man was believed to be from Strandfontein, Cape Town. The cause of his death was unknown.
The survivors from Cape Town received treatment and counselling.
“The vessel, a 19.63 metre commercial fishing vessel from Hout Bay, also reportedly conducting octopus research, was found washed up against rocks,” Lambinon said.
The SA Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and Disaster Risk Management and Cape Nature were assessing an oil spill for environmental control.
SAMSA would investigate the cause of the accident.
Police have opened an inquest docket.
Sapa