File photo
A 45-year-old Gqeberha man has been rescued after his riverboat craft capsized in the Swartkops River Mouth, but sadly his 'best friend' perished in the incident.
The National Sea Rescue Institute said their NSRI Gqeberha duty crew was activated following eye-witness reports of a boat in distress in the Swartkops River Mouth and a man in the water.
NSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, says NSRI rescue swimmers, Bluewater Bay lifeguards, Gqeberha Beach Office, SAPS, Coastal Water Rescue, and Gardmed Ambulance Service responded.
"Blue Water Bay lifeguards rescue craft reached the 45-year-old local man in the surf line in the river mouth and rescued him onto their rescue craft and he was brought to shore. Sadly his dog was found washed up on the beach deceased," Lambinon said.
He said it appeared that the riverboat craft may have broken anchor while the man may have been asleep below deck and drifted towards the river mouth in the outgoing tide before capsizing.
Lambinon said the boat was recovered while the NSRI also commended Bluewater Bay lifeguards for successfully rescuing the man.
