Two merchant vessels and a fishing boat are collaborating with the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) in the ongoing search for missing crew members from a tugboat that sank overnight from Saturday to Sunday. Reports indicate that 12 individuals were rescued, one person was confirmed dead, and five others are still unaccounted for.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Center in Cape Town received an emergency call around 7 PM on Saturday, February 28, from the tugboat named Leo, which reported that it was taking on water uncontrollably. Some accounts suggest that the vessel, located 18 nautical miles off the coast between Cape Town and Durban, may have grounded during a storm.
There were 18 crew members aboard the tug, who were preparing to enter four life rafts before the boat sank early on March 1. SAMSA has indicated that the incident occurred approximately 80 nautical miles south of Mossel Bay. The tugboat, which hailed from Nigeria, was in South Africa for repairs and was beginning its return journey to Lagos.
The region is known for challenging sea conditions and severe storms, complicating the search efforts. SAMSA has reported that adverse weather is hindering operations, but all available resources, including a helicopter, are being deployed. The 12 survivors are being transported to Port Elizabeth, where a representative from the Nigerian government is present to assist them.
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