The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) confirmed the sinking of a fishing vessel off the west coast of the Western Cape near Saldahna Bay and the rescue of its 10 member crew on February 16. On the morning of the same day a good samaritan vessel rescued the crewmembers of the stricken fishing vessel.
Specifically, according to the SAMSA Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) in Cape Town, the incident of the sinking of the fishing trawler, registered as Ankoveld/ZR4388, occurred at a position some 28.5 nautical miles west north west of Cape St Martin and same distance from the closest land point.
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The vessel’s skipper who was among the 10 rescued crew reassured that the Ankoveld faced difficulties as it begun to take water in the engine room, following to which it capsized and sank.
After the alert, the MRCC’s sub-center in Saldanha contacted the fishing vessel Atlantic Leader.
A Good Samaritan vessel that was near the location that the incident took place, came to the rescue.
The Leader successfully rescued all of the Ankoveld’s crewmembers, who had already abandoned ship into life rafts, and brought them back to shore at Laaiplek harbour.
Authorities have issued a navigational warning in the area where the vessel is sank.
In addition, SAMSA officials are conducting an investigation.
The Ankoveld was a 24-meter fishing vessel flagged in South Africa. Both vessels involved are owned by the same company, a diversified conglomerate based in Laaiplek.
