NSRI crew members responded to various incidents over the weekend

Mluleki Mrwebi
05 August 2013

The National Sea Rescue Institute and Port Elizabeth volunteer sea rescue duty crew over the weekend were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority to respond to rendezvous with the 225 meter bulk carrier AMARANTHA, sailing from South America to Singapore, and reporting Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation being conducted on a crew member onboard.

The vessel had reported to Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre of the situation, that a crew member onboard had collapsed and that CPR was in progress.

NSRI Spokesperson Craig Lambinon said when they arrived on board the 51 year old had already died from what is believed to have been caused by a heart attack.

Lambinon added that his body has been brought to the Port Elizabeth and handed over into the care of forensic pathology services.

Meanwhile the National Sea Rescue Institute and Vaal Dam volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following reports of a man missing on the Vaal dam, in Villiers.

NSRI Spokesperson Craig Lambinon said the family of a daughter and son and the man's girlfriend, had reported to NSRI that the 43 year old male from Kempton Park, Johannesburg, had been out on a hovercraft on the dam on a days pleasure cruise but had failed to return on schedule.

Lambinon said on arrival on scene the man was not found and eyewitnesses confirmed that a man was seen disappearing under water.

He added that the police will continue with their search and it is alleged that the havar craft may ran out of fuel and the man tried to switch to shore.