Mossel Bay tug tragedy: Operator in contact with families of lost crew - IOL
Tug operator Amsol said it had been in contact with the families of the three seafarers whose bodies were recovered off Mossel Bay, and of the two still missing.
The five had ended up in the sea about 47 nautical miles south of Mossel Bay on Wednesday after one of them fell overboard from the tug Umkhuseli while working on deck.
The SA Maritime Safety Authority, or Samsa, said the other four had set out from the tug in a fast rescue boat to recover their colleague, but the boat had capsized and thrown all four into the water.
African Marine Solutions, or Amsol, which operates the Umkhuseli and employed the five seafarers, said the search for the two still missing had resumed at first light on Thursday, with its tug Inkanyezi on site.
"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 in a statement sent toΒ IOL.
"We have been in direct contact with the families of all five affected seafarers since yesterday and are providing them with support and regular updates as confirmed information becomes available.
"Our thoughts are with family members, loved ones and the entire Amsol community during this extremely challenging time."
The Umkhuseli is an 83m offshore tug and supply vessel registered in SA.
Amsol said the tug had been on safety standby near the FA Platform when the incident had happened.
Samsa said the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Cape Town had diverted vessels in the area to help with the search, which had been supported by the NSRI and the police water wing and helicopters.
IOL understands that two of the bodies had been flown by helicopter to George Airport, while the third had been brought to Mossel Bay late on Wednesday night.
Emergency medical service ER24 spokesperson Ineke van Huyssteen toldΒ IOL its team had been on standby at George Airport, where it had assisted with the declaration of the two bodies brought there.
Samsa said it had ended the active search and rescue operation after assessing it and considering all available information, and had opened a preliminary inquiry into the incident.
Amsol said internal and external investigations had begun.
