Three dead, two missing after rescue boat capsizes off South Africa

Three seafarers have died and two remain missing after a rescue boat capsized off the coast of Mossel Bay, South Africa. The incident occurred on Wednesday, September 30, during an emergency response operation involving the vessel Umkhuseli, operated by African Marine Solutions (AMSOL).

Preliminary reports indicate that a crew member fell overboard while working on deck. In an attempt to recover the individual, four other crew members launched a fast rescue boat from the Umkhuseli, which subsequently capsized, placing five people in the water.

The Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Cape Town coordinated a response involving the National Sea Rescue Institute, the South African Police Service, and various nearby vessels. While three bodies were recovered on Wednesday, two employees remain missing as of Thursday morning.

AMSOL CEO Dan Ngakane confirmed the deaths and stated the company is supporting the families of the five employees involved. Both internal and external investigations have been launched, and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has initiated a preliminary inquiry into the accident.