Search underway for missing man off Port of Durban

Durban offshore search underway after seven stowaways go overboard from container ship, six rescued while NSRI launches night operation for one missing man

At approximately 18h00, Monday, 20 April, NSRI Durban became aware of a search operation reportedly in progress approximately 5 nautical miles offshore of Durban's Port, and beyond.

On investigation, by NSRI Durban and by NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), it was determined that a search had commenced, reportedly at around 14h15, following a Pan Pan emergency marine VHF radio broadcast from a motor vessel container ship, the broadcast intercepted by Telkom Maritime Radio Services, of seven persons gone overboard a motor vessel container ship.

It was determined that seven (believed to be) male stowaways appear to have abandoned a motor vessel container ship offshore of Durban, we believe may have been in an attempt to swim to shore as the ship approached the Port of Durban. We believe that six of the men had been rescued by the ship, but one man remained missing.

During the afternoon, MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) had coordinated a search and rescue operation involving the motor vessel container ship (that the stowaways had reportedly abandoned) as well as 2 additional commercial motor vessels, a bulk carrier and a container ship.

NSRI enquired with TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Port of Durban Port Control and Police Search and Rescue, not aware of the search operation in progress, and NSRI Durban, in consultation with TNPA Port of Durban Port Control, made the decision to launch NSRI rescue craft in a bid to assist in the ongoing search operation despite the time lapse from the initial alarm being raised and despite nightfall.

MRCC was informed that NSRI would be launching to assist in the search for the missing man.

NSRI Durban duty crew volunteers were immediately activated and responded to the NSRI Durban station 5 rescue base.

NSRI EOC notified Police Search and Rescue.

The NSRI rescue craft Alick Rennie and Spirit of Surfski 6 were launched while NSRI EOC and an NSRI Kommetjie volunteer plotted search grid patterns (using Searchwell). Taking into account sea current drift and wind speed and direction, in cooperation with NSRI Durban duty controllers.

NSRI liaised with the 3 motor vessels that had been engaged in the search since the afternoon.

Despite an extensive search operation, including NSRI deploying a drift buoy - to determine drift speed and direction, there remain no signs of the missing man (reportedly last seen in the water wearing a green shirt and green pants).

Police Search and Rescue and Police Sea Borderline Control are alerted.

The KZN surf rescue network are alerted to keep a look-out.

Telkom Maritime Radio Services are continuing to broadcast an all ships alert for the area.