Simonstown Yachtsman Dies at Sea

Darren Zimmerman, NSRI Simonstown station commander said: “On Saturday 13 March at 19h24 NSRI Simonstown were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority following reports from an eye-witness of an unmanned yacht motoring around in circles just outside of the Simonstown harbour.

“The eye-witness claimed he had seen a sailor at the helm of the yacht as it headed in the direction of Simonstown harbour but that the yacht now appeared to be unmanned and going around in circles at the harbour mouth and the eye-witness had feared that the sailor had fallen overboard.

“NSRI Simonstown launched our rescue craft Spirit of Safmarine III and NSRI Kommetjie responded with their rescue craft Spirit of Winelands. The Metro Ambulance and Rescue services, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, Disaster Management, the SA Police Services and a Police Borderline craft joined in the operation.

“On arrival at the yacht an NSRI team boarded the yacht and took the yacht under control but found no sign of a 36 year old lone sailor, from Simonstown, who, it was determined, had been out on a lone sail and an extensive search commenced based on fears that the man had fallen overboard.

“During the search a shore patrol spotted the body of a man floating off-shore of Simonstown and the body, confirmed to be the sailor, was recovered and handed into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services.

“A post mortem will determine the cause of death.

“Police have opened an inquest docket into the death of the sailor.”