NSRI rescues 22 fishermen from sinking vessel off Cape Town coast [Video]

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) rescued 22 fishermen from a sinking fishing trawler off the coast of Cape Town on Saturday morning.

The rescue organisation was placed on alert on Friday morning after receiving reports from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) that the 35-metre long liner vessel was taking on water about 30 nautical miles southwest of the Port of Table Bay.

Also read: Fisherman deceased, two survived in boating accident at Cape Point

According to the NSRI, the vessel was pumping water free and had been taken under tow by a fellow local fishing trawler, en route to Hout Bay harbour on Saturday morning. The fishermen were confident that they would reach the harbour in good time.

‘At around 10am, it was reported that the situation had deteriorated as sea conditions changed, wind speeds and sea swells increased in intensity and NSRI decided to launch an assist,’ said NSRI …