On Monday afternoon, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Durban became aware of a search operation reportedly in progress approximately five nautical miles offshore of Durban’s Port, and beyond.

“On investigation by NSRI Durban and by Emergency Operations Centre, it was determined that a search had commenced, reportedly at around 14:15, following a Pan Pan emergency marine VHF radio broadcast from a motor vessel container ship; the broadcast intercepted by Telkom Maritime Radio Services, of seven persons gone overboard a motor vessel container ship,” said NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon.

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“It was determined that seven (believed to be) male stowaways appear to have abandoned a motor vessel container ship offshore of Durban; we believe it may have been in an attempt to swim to shore as the ship approached the Port of Durban. We believe that six of the men had been rescued by the ship, but one man remained missing,” Lambinon shared.

Despite an extensive search operation, including NSRI deploying a drift buoy – to determine drift speed and direction – there were no signs of the missing man (reportedly last seen in the water wearing a green shirt and green pants).

Police Search and Rescue and Police Sea Borderline Control were alerted, as well as the the KZN surf rescue network, to keep a look-out. The Telkom Maritime Radio Services are reportedly continuing to broadcast an all-ships alert for the area.

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