What was meant to be another routine fishing trip for three local men ended in devastating tragedy off the West Coast.
On Friday afternoon, their small vessel capsized near Shelly Point, leaving behind sorrow and unanswered questions for their families and community.
Emergency Response Rushed Into Action
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) confirmed that both their Mykonos and St Helena Bay teams were called into action at around 4:11 pm, after eyewitnesses spotted someone clinging to an overturned fishing boat.
With fears that others were still in the water, the rescue operation quickly grew to include the SA Police Services, Disaster Risk Management, EMS, Saldanha Bay Traffic Services, and West Coast Medical Rescue. Police diving units were also placed on high alert.
First Victim Found on the Shoreline
When rescue teams arrived, the heartbreaking reality began to unfold. The body of an adult male had already washed ashore.
Paramedics could do nothing but declare him deceased at the scene.
More Lives Lost in the Surf
Not long after, a second fisherman was discovered in shallow surf by NSRI swimmers, working closely with the police.
He too was declared deceased, bringing further grief to an already somber operation.
A Good Samaritan Joins the Search
In the midst of the chaos, a brave Good Samaritan wearing a wetsuit was spotted combing through the rocky surf, desperately searching for the third missing fisherman.
An NSRI rescue swimmer joined him, and together they managed to recover the man’s body from the shoreline. Sadly, he was also declared deceased.
The Victims and Ongoing Investigation
All three men are believed to have been local fishermen, though their names have not yet been released as authorities work to notify their families.
The exact cause of the capsizing and the sequence of events leading up to it remain unclear.
Police have since opened an inquest docket to investigate further.
Tributes to the Fallen and Praise for the Helpers
Cedric Brown, duty coxswain for NSRI Mykonos, expressed condolences to the families and praised the quick actions of both the eyewitness who raised the alarm and the Good Samaritan who risked his life to help.
“Our condolences are conveyed to the family and friends of the three deceased fishermen,” he said, underlining how deeply the tragedy has touched the community.
A Community in Mourning
For the small fishing towns along the West Coast, the ocean is both a source of livelihood and risk.
This heartbreaking accident is a reminder of the dangers that local fishermen face every day and the strength of community in times of loss.