By: Ziyanda Yono
The search for 11 missing fishermen on the West Coast of Cape Town has been called off.
This was confirmed by Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Barbara Creecy on Wednesday, 22 May.
Creecy met with the families of the 11 missing crew members whose fishing trawler, known as MFV Lepanto sank around 35 nautical miles offshore from Hout Bay on Friday afternoon, 17 May 2024.
” I wish to extend my sincere condolences to the families of the 11 crew members who are now presumed deceased.
I understand that the families of the bereaved fishermen have been informed that the search has been called off and that they are receiving professional counselling and support, and appropriate counselling will be given to the other fishermen who survived this incident.”
Minister Barbara Creecy
The South African Maritime Authority called off the extensive search after continued efforts yielded no signs.
MFV Lepanto was reportedly carrying 20 fishermen when it sank, 9 of whom were rescued and uninjured, while the 11 were unaccounted for.
The fishing vessel was within Sea Harvest’s Viking Fishing Division, and both life rafts from the MFV Lepanto were found.
A casualty investigation team by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has been appointed to investigate the cause of the tragedy.
According to Creecy, the investigation will determine the cause of the sinking and ensure that all safety protocols were followed.
This is the second incident where loss of life from the Western Cape in under a year, after 3 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Navy divers have died in Kommetjie, Cape Town on Wednesday, 20 September 2023.
A huge wave battered the submarine the navy divers were on board at the time.
The incident took place during a navy training exercise, and amid the Spring Tides which were causing massive waves along the country’s coastlines.
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