Nine fishermen have died and three remain missing after they abandoned a fishing trawler which was taking on water in rough seas on Sunday night.
Eight men were plucked from the frigid water by other vessels that had rushed to their aid.
The NSRI's Craig Lambinon says a 42-metre Cape Town fishing trawler reported to be taking on water in heavy sea swells 20 nautical miles south of Hangklip with their 21 crew on board abandoning ship.
Lambinon says a cargo vessel and three fishing boats were first to arrive at the floundering trawler's location.
Nine survivors were rescued and nine bodies were recovered from the water.
The cause of the casualty vessel taking on water has not been determined.
The bodies of the deceased have been handed into the care of Police and the Forensics Pathology Services.
The eight survivors have been assessed by paramedics and they are in the care of police trauma counselors and the fishing company are attending to the families of their deceased colleagues and to the families of the three missing fishermen.
An inquest docket has been opened by Police and SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) will also investigate the incident.
