How 21 fishermen escaped burning vessel with hazardous substances

WITH the grounding of a fishing vessel carrying about 14 tonnes of diesel fuel, 100 litres of lubricants, and eight 19kg LPG gas cylinders, authorities remain on high alert near Cape Recife Lighthouse off Port Elizabeth following the dramatic rescue of 21 fishermen.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) confirmed it was investigating the fire and subsequent grounding of the fishing vessel FV Silver Dorado on Monday.

The incident was first reported to the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) at about 6pm, and by 10:30pm the vessel had grounded in a rocky area near Cape Recife. 

All 21 fishermen had abandoned the burning vessel into the sea.

The crew members were rescued and taken to Port Elizabeth Harbour by 9:20pm after multiple vessels responded to the scene, with no injuries reported.

“Following the incident, instructions were issued for the appointment of a professional salvaging team to manage firefighting and recovery operations. 

“Measures were taken to contain potential pollution risks. Cargo checks confirmed hazardous substances onboard, including LPG cylinders,” SAMSA said.

A navigation warning was issued, and drift modelling initiated to monitor the vessel’s movement. 

“Weather forecasts are being reviewed, and contingency plans are in place including the possible deployment of additional support vessels,” SAMSA said.

The Authority added that the vessel’s insurance cover was confirmed, and they were working closely with stakeholders, including TNPA, NSRI, Department of Transport and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, to ensure compliance with maritime safety and pollution prevention regulations. 

Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds SANCCOB was on-site and monitoring the area for any signs of affected seabirds. 

“At this stage, the pollution risk is unknown,” SAMSA said.

Their investigation will focus on determining the cause of the fire, assessing environmental impact, and reviewing emergency response effectiveness.

The NSRI said they were alerted to the incident after an eyewitness report of a fishing vessel ablaze approximately 1 nautical mile offshore of Noordhoek, Gqeberha.

NSRI Gqeberha duty controllers, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, and vessels at sea in the area at the time, also intercepted a Mayday distress call from the vessel reporting a fire onboard and all of her 21 crew preparing to abandon the vessel.

“The casualty fishing vessel had departed the Port of Port Elizabeth earlier - heading to fishing grounds.

“It appears that a fire from undetermined causes spread fast after being discovered onboard by the skipper. We believe all remaining 20 crew were in bunks resting in preparation to reaching fishing grounds. We believe the skipper alerted his crew and they were forced to abandon ship without having time to launch their own life-raft but the skipper was able to dispatch a Mayday distress VHF radio call,” NSRI said.

NSRI Gqeberha dispatched rescue swimmers and a rescue vehicle to Noordhoek while the NSRI rescue craft Bay Guardian and Rescue 6 Alpha were launched. EMS and police were alerted.

“Telkom Maritime Radio Services broadcast an all ships alert on marine VHF channel 16, relaying the Mayday distress call, alerting vessels in the area to divert to assist survivors reported to be abandoning the casualty fishing vessel.

“A local fishing vessel, Leguga, arriving on the scene, launched their own life-raft to assist fishermen casualties who were in the water near to their burning fishing vessel,” NSRI said.

At least another five fishing vessels who had intercepted the Mayday distress calls arrived on the scene where the vessel Legugu had at that stage managed to recover 12 fishermen from their life-raft and from the sea.

The fishing vessel Raka rescued four fishermen, the fishing vessel Maverick rescued four fishermen, and the fishing vessel Vulcan rescued one fisherman.

NSRI transferred the crew from the fishing vessels onto NSRI's rescue craft Bay Guardian.

“All 21 men were brought to the NSRI rescue base - at the Port of Port Elizabeth - they were all medically assessed by EMS paramedics and all casualty crew were confirmed to be not injured and requiring no medical care.”

The casualty fishing vessel drifted towards Cape Recife still ablaze.

“An all ships alert - warning of the navigational hazard at sea - is broadcast by Telkom Maritime Radio Services.”

Cape Times