SANDF names submariners killed during Kommetjie drill

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has named the officials who lost their lives on Wednesday in a navy vessel incident off Kommetjie, near Cape Town.

The SANDF identified the submariners as Lieutenant Commander Gillian Elizabeth Hector, Master Warrant Officer William Masela Mathipa and Warrant Officer Mmokwapa Lucas Mojela.

Hector was the first woman officer in Africa to navigate a submarine combat officer.

PICTURE: Facebook - Gillian Hector

The three submariners died when a high wave swept seven crew members out of the sea.

According to the SANDF, the SA Navy submarine was en route to Cape Town while conducting a vertical replenishment submarine by means of a SA Air Force Maritime Lynx helicopter when the incident occurred.

“A distress call was made to Cape Town Radio ,who were then dispatched to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) from Kommetjie. All seven members were recovered but sadly there were three fatalities, with one senior official in critical condition,” the SANDF said in a statement.

The remaining members, including the surface swimmer, are currently being treated in hospital.

According to the SA Navy, the bereaved families have requested privacy during this difficult time and have asked media and the public to respect their wishes.