Deon Langenhoven, NSRI Hermanus coxswain said: “On Sunday 4 April, NSRI Hermanus were activated at 14h39 following reports of a rubber-duck capsized at Betties Bay, at Mooi Havens, in front of the old whaling station, with 6 crew reported to be in the water.
“NSRI Hermanus launched our rescue craft Hunters Gold Rescuer and our NSRI rescue vehicle, the Metro Ambulance and Rescue Services, the SA Police Services and the Metro Red Cross AMS helicopter responded.
“On arrival on-scene all 6 crew were found to already be safe ashore after they had been helped out of the water by 3 unidentified people, a lady and 2 men, all aged approximately in their 50’s, who were wearing wet-suits and diving flippers, but before they could get the names of their rescuers they had left the scene.
[ad#Google Adsense 125×125 Blog Post]”The 6 casualties, skipper Moller Horn, 39, from Bellville, Remano Dileva, 32, from Monte Vista, Passie Fourie, 62, from Table View, Dave Loubser, 70, from Betties Bay and Sonya Greyling, 40, from Brackenfell, had been crayfishing when their boat capsized and they were all thrown into the surf before 3 unidentified bystanders swam out to them and helped them to get to shore.
“Their 5.5 metre rubber-duck boat is lying in the capsized position and trapped in thick kelp.
“Only Dave Loubser was transported to hospital by the Metro ambulance in a stable condition suffering from hypothermia and for observation for secondary drowning.
“While we suspect that their boat may wash ashore during the night it is currently lying in thick kelp not accessible by boat and we have advised the owner not to try to recover his boat today and to reassess the sea conditions tomorrow before trying to recover the boat.”
