Catamaran skipper saves British tourists from capsized boat before NSRI came in to rescue and took everyone to safety, leaving many thankful to all involved.
NSRI Table Bay launched their sea rescue crafts Spirit of Day and Spirit of Vodacom along with the WC Government Health EMS rescue and EMS ambulance, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services Dive Unit, ER24 ambulance services, a Police Dive Unit and the SA Police Services responded.
8 people were rescued from a capsized catamaran, 3 local male crew members and 5 tourist passengers from the United Kingdom, 2 males and 3 females, were found on the upturned hull of the boat, all were wearing life jackets, they were rescued off the upturned hull and taken onboard the sea rescue craft and brought to the NSRI rescue base at the V&A Waterfront where all were treated by paramedics for mild hypothermia and 2 of the local crewmen were treated for non-life threatening injuries.
The skipper of the catamaran free dove into the water as they had been missing one passenger who was believed to be below deck when the boat capsized. He went under and found her running out of air as water flowed into the space. He pulled her to the surface and everyone sat on the upturned hull waiting to be rescued.
It was confirmed that all crew and passengers were accounted for and the Police Dive Unit stood down on confirmation that no persons were trapped in the hull of the boat.
Everyone rescued from the catamaran was incredibly grateful to the NSRI and all parties involved. The vessel was towed and an investigation will be taking place to see what the reason for the accident was.
Without the fast actions of the skipper, the outcome would not have been so successful for all involved. Good work to all those involved in the rescue efforts.
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