A deputy sheriff of the court died on his way to deliver a warrant of arrest on the Liberian bulk carrier ‘Blue Marlin I’, on Saturday night, 27 January, four nautical miles from the Port Elizabeth.
The late warrant Officer, Henry Kemp, aged 42, plunged at least 8 metres into the ocean, while climbing a steep ladder to execute a warrant of arrest to the master of the ship, according to SAMSA.
The man’s body was recovered by the ship’s crew at 7:15 pm, but despite efforts, he was declared dead.
Kemp had been a sheriff for approximately 20 years.
The causes of the accident are yet to be revealed. The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and the South African Police Service are currently investing the incident. The vessel has been brought into Port Elizabeth.
