Three fishermen are back home after a scary capsizing incident ended not in tragedy, but in a heroic rescue by a fellow fishing crew that happened to be in the right place at the perfect time.
Kleinmond, South Africa (04 February 2026) – Reports of a capsized commercial crayfishing boat offshore of Draadbaai at the Stoney Point Nature Reserve prompted the activation of the NSRI Kleinmond duty crew on Tuesday morning.
According to NSRI Kleinmond station commander, Schalk Boonzaaier, the team launched the rescue craft ‘Spirit of Surfski’ while the rescue vehicle responded to Stoney Point.
While teams were enroute it was confirmed that three local adult male fishermen had been rescued by the crew of a fellow commercial crayfishing boat after their boat had capsized at fishing grounds.
“They were brought safely to the Stoney Point slipway, and they were transported by road to Kleinmond. They were all accounted for, and they were not injured,” says Boonzaaier.
“On our rescue craft arriving on the scene, we found the capsized vessel drifting close to the rocks. A towline was established. We towed the vessel away from the rocks and successfully righted the vessel, in calmer waters and towed it to Kleinmond, where the vessel was recovered.”
Upon investigation of the incident, the NSRI found that the fishing rope had entangled around the boat’s motor propellers. While the fishermen attempted to remove the rope, the vessel took on water and capsized.
The assistance of the skipper and crew of the other commercial crayfishing vessel is commended for rescuing the three fishermen.
NSRI Urges Water Safety After Tragic Week
The successful fishermen rescue offers welcome relief for the NSRI, who have responded to over thirty rescue incidents across South Africa over seven days, from Sunday 25 January to Sunday 1 February.
Sadly, at least ten people have drowned or are missing, many of them teenagers.
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Thirty-nine people were rescued from the water during the same period. These included a mass rescue at Kleinmond Main Beach involving nine people swept out by rip currents, as well as individual and group rescues along the coast in Gordons Bay, Wilderness, Hout Bay, and East London.
“We are seeing the same risk factors repeating: young people swimming in unguarded areas, rip currents not recognised, and well-meaning bystander rescuers also getting into difficulty,” said Andrew Ingram, NSRI Communications Manager.
In the wake of this devastating week, the NSRI urges the public to follow water safety principles such as supervising children, avoiding alcohol consumption before swimming, swimming at beaches where lifeguards are on duty and to treat inland waters with extreme caution.
“Summer is far from over,” said Brett Ayres, NSRI Chief Operating Officer.
“As we continue to enjoy our coastline and inland waters, we must remember that safety is everyone’s responsibility. These incidents are tragic. We urge the public to remain vigilant, informed, and prepared.”
For emergency assistance, call NSRI’s Emergency Operations Centre on 087 094 9774 or dial 112 from any mobile phone.
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