Three bodies recovered after rescue boat capsized during attempt to recover crew
Three seafarers who were aboard the tug Umkhuseli have had their bodies recovered after the vessel capsized in adverse weather about 47 nautical miles south of Mossel Bay, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) said. Two other crew members remain unaccounted for after the incident on Wednesday, 30 September.
SAMSA reported that the incident began when a crew member reportedly fell overboard while working on the tug’s deck. A Fast Rescue Boat (FRB) was launched from the vessel to recover that person, but the FRB capsized during the operation and a total of five crew ended up in the water.
According to the initial statements released by agencies involved, the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) Cape Town activated a coordinated search-and-rescue response. The operation mobilised maritime and aviation assets, with vessels in the area diverted to assist and support provided by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), and the South African Police Service (SAPS) water wing and helicopter resources.
“We have been in direct contact with the families of all five affected seafarers and are providing them with support and regular updates as confirmed information becomes available,” AMSOL chief executive Dan Ngakane said, adding that both internal and external investigations have commenced.
The seafarers were employed by African Marine Solutions (AMSOL). SAMSA said the active search-and-rescue phase has been concluded following a comprehensive assessment of the operation and consideration of all available information, although one AMSOL vessel remains on site to continue monitoring the area.
- Recovered: Second Officer Akhona Mlaba; Fourth Engineer Simphiwe Simayi; Able Seafarer Ditaba Leoto.
- Missing: Oiler Zolile Milbaziso; Able Seafarer Sibonile Qalani.
- Employer: AMSOL; coordinating agency: SAMSA; MRCC Cape Town led operational response.
The human toll and the operational details now reported place focus on lifesaving procedures and safety equipment used on rescue craft. SAMSA’s preliminary account indicates that the emergency began as a single-person overboard incident and escalated when the rescue boat capsized during the recovery attempt.
AMSOL said it was providing support and regular updates to the families. The company also confirmed that investigations — both internal and external — have started to establish the precise sequence of events that led to the capsizing of both the tug and its rescue craft.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Approximately 47 nautical miles south of Mossel Bay |
| Date | Wednesday, 30 September |
| Recovered | Akhona Mlaba; Simphiwe Simayi; Ditaba Leoto |
| Missing | Zolile Milbaziso; Sibonile Qalani |
| Agencies involved | SAMSA, MRCC Cape Town, NSRI, SAPS water wing and helicopter units, AMSOL |
The incident will be closely examined by investigators to determine whether safety procedures, equipment readiness and weather forecasting played roles in the escalation. For Mossel Bay, a town with deep maritime links and harbour operations, the event is a stark reminder of the hazards faced by seafarers operating off the South African coast.
Family notifications, victim identification procedures and the progress of the investigations will be managed by the relevant authorities and by AMSOL, SAMSA said. At the time SAMSA declared the operational search complete, one AMSOL vessel remained in the vicinity to monitor the area as parties continue to account for the missing crew.
Further updates will be released by SAMSA and AMSOL as investigations progress and as more information is confirmed.
