File
The body of a local man from St Francis Bay was found following an extensive search after his catamaran fishing craft was found washed onto the rocks at Shark Point on Tuesday morning.
National Sea Rescue Institute spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, said their St Francis Bay duty crew was activated just before 8 am following a report of the catamaran being found on "the Western side of Shark Point Light."
“The craft was identified as belonging to a local man who regularly fishes on his boat in the vicinity of Shark Point, and who had launched to go fishing in the early hours of the morning.
It was immediately suspected that the fisherman may be missing,” he said.
Lambinon said the rescue craft Spirit of St Francis II was launched while NSRI shore crew responded to the land side of Shark Point.
He said the police dive unit, Eastern Cape Government Health EMS, Private Care ambulance services and drone operators of the NSRI Air Rescue Network also responded as did a number of local residents.
Seven local fishing craft joined the search as well as a helicopter that was dispatched from Gqeberha, while NSRI Oyster Bay was placed on alert.
“During an air, sea and shoreline search the man was located and recovered in the surf close to rocks near to Shark Point Light at 08h55. Sadly the man was declared deceased by paramedics,” Lambinon said
Police have opened an Inquest docket and efforts will be made to recover the craft from the rocks.
