Three South African Navy Officers including the first female in Africa to navigate a submarine have died
The National Sea Rescue Institute says a crew was washed off a Navy vessel off-shore of Slangkop Lighthouse near Kommetjie in Cape Town on Wednesday.
Spokesperson Craig Lambinon says the defence force, Navy, military police, Transnet, and several other personnel responded as it was initially believed that seven navy divers were in the water.
He says a rescue operation was launched and all seven men were rescued, however, two passed away when CPR efforts were exhausted.
Lambinon says one female officer was still on board and an SA Air Force helicopter assisted in extricating her from the vessel.
He says CPR efforts were commenced by sadly she was declared dead on the scene.
Inquest dockets were opened for the deceased and the incident will be investigated by the South African Navy and maritime authorities.
Their bodies were taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
The female officer was identified as 33-year-old Gillian Malouw who was born and raised in Schauderville in Gqeberha while the other two were Master Warrant Officer William Masela Mathipa (Coxswain) and Warrant Officer Class One Mmokwapa Lucas Mojela (Coxswain under training).
