The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has called for a thorough investigation into the incident that led to the disappearance of 11 fishermen at sea, who are now presumed dead.
Saftu’s general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said the trade union is saddened by the deaths of the 11 fishermen.
The MFV Lepanto, a vessel within Sea Harvest’s viking fishing division, sank, taking the fishermen down with it.
The vessel sank around 35 nautical miles offshore from Hout Bay, Cape Town, on Friday afternoon.
Vessel sank, nine rescued, 11 missing
Nine fishermen have been rescued, while 11 others went missing at sea, and are now presumed dead.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Cape Town, working together with other stakeholders, led the search and rescue (SAR) operation for the 11 fishermen.
The search was called off this week.
“[Saftu] extends heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the 11 fishermen who tragically lost their lives when the MFV Lepanto sank off the coast of Hout Bay. We further extend our condolences to the fisherman who drowned at Brightwaters, at the Cape Point. Our thoughts are with those affected by this devastating incident from both incidents. We commend the courageous efforts of the search and rescue teams. Including the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and the South African Search and Rescue (SASAR). The Sea Harvest Group and other emergency services, who worked tirelessly to locate and save the crew members.
“We acknowledge the valiant efforts of the nine fishermen who were rescued. And we are grateful they are now safely reunited with their families. Saftu is deeply concerned about the safety of workers at sea. It calls for a thorough investigation by the South African Maritime Safety Authority to determine the cause of this tragic incident,” said Vavi.
Union calls for safety measures for industry workers
He said urgent measures need to be taken before boarding of ships to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
“We urge that measures must be taken before boarding of ships to prevent such tragedies from happening again. This should involve tighter regulations for safety purpose. But not to exclude small scale firshermen from conducting fishing as a subsistence activity. In fact, government must support those small fishermen to meet all the regulatory measures for safety purposes,” said Vavi.
Earlier this week, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment Barbara Creecy, sent her condolences to the families of the 11 fishermen presumed dead.
Minister sends condolences
“I wish to extend my sincere condolences to the families of the 11 crew members who are now presumed deceased. I understand that the families of the bereaved fishermen have been informed that the search has been called off. They are receiving professional counselling and support. Appropriate counselling will be given to the other fishermen who survived this incident …A review of the search progression, search efforts and continuous lack of sighting reports from the incident [has started]. And the unfavourable weather led the MRCC to conclude the SAR effort,” said Creecy.
