Bulk Carrier sinks off PE coast

By Ilhaam Hoosain
08 September 2007


A Bulk Carrier sank off the Port Elizabeth coast yesterday afternoon. The Carrier was sailing from PE to Durban and reported yesterday at about 14: 12 that they were taking in water and sinking with 18 crew members on board.

All but two seamen were safe after being rescued. Two vessels arrived on the scene and confirmed that eight crew members were on a life-raft and that they were taken aboard the fishing trawler Irtych.

A further eight crew were taken off the Amul and are reported to be safe on the Irtych. According to the National Sea Rescue Institute two men remained on-board. They were trying to pump water from the carrier in a bid to prevent it from sinking.

“By approximately 21:30 last night all 18 crew had been taken off the vessel by two private boats that were in the area had gone to their rescue,” says National Sea Rescue Institute spokesperson Craig Lambinon

Lambinon adds that the two boats are taking the 18 crew members to Durban’s port.