Search operations are continuing on Monday morning for a missing local kite-boarder
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) says family of
Graham Howes, 38, from Bloubergstrand, alerted them that he had not returned
from Sunday afternoon’s kite-boarding session offshore of Eden on the Bay.
SUPPLIED - NSRI: Graham HowesHe was last seen on a blue and black kite-board, with a
white kite sail with red writing, in a black wet suit.
‘’At 19h59, Sunday, 7 September, NSRI Melkbosstrand duty
crew were activated following reports from family that Graham had not returned
from an afternoon kite-boarding session offshore of Eden on the Bay,
Bloubergstrand. Wearing a wet-suit Graham was last seen kite-boarding in the
area at around 13h00 but he has failed to return as was expected reportedly by
late afternoon,’’ said Craig Lambibnon, NSRI spokesperson.
‘’Family and friends, the Blouberg and Melkbosstrand coast
watchers and neighbourhood watch groups, including the kite-boarding community,
are assisting… We are appealing to the local community and the fishing, sailing,
private and commercial maritime community, in the area between Blouberg Beach
and North West along the West Coast towards Dassen Islands and beyond to keep a
sharp look out,’’ he added.
Lambinon says search grids - taking into account weather,
wind and sea currents - indicate the search area to extend out to sea from Eden
on the Bay and out to sea in a North West direction between Bloubergstrand and
Robben Island and out to sea beyond Bokpunt and past the vicinity between
Yzerfontein and Dassen Island. He says all possibilities are being investigated
in this ongoing search operation.
‘’Camera footage obtained by local security indicates
sighting Graham, on a blue and black kite-board, with a white kite sail with
red writing, in a black wet suit, at after 13h00 on Sunday - in the vicinity
offshore of Eden on the Bay,’’ said Craig Lambibnon, NSRI spokesperson.
Done by: Mitchum George
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