Three SA Navy mariners dead, four injured off coast of Cape Town

Three naval mariners died and four sustained injuries after reportedly being washed overboard near the Slangkop Lighthouse in Kommetjie, near Cape Town.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members were participating in a navy exercise at the time of the incident.

The defence department said the mariners’ submarine was en route to Cape Town while conducting a vertical transfer when high waves swept seven crew members out to sea. The drill was cancelled and efforts were launched to recover the members

Rescue

The National Sea Rescue Institute’s (NSRI) spokesperson Craig Lambinon said they received a call about the incident on Wednesday and police, EMS, the SA Navy and Air Force, navy command and the maritime rescue co-ordination centre were involved in the search.

Spring tide

A 93-year-old woman was killed over the weekend, following a spring high tide that battered restaurants, houses and cars along the coast in the Eastern and Western Cape.

Lambinon said businesses affected by the spring high tide include The Brass Bell restaurant in Kalk Bay, as well as extensive damage in George, and Wilderness along the Southern Cape coastline.

“There has been quite widespread damage across the coastline, including sand dune erosion, structural damage, and we’ve learnt that NSRI Wilderness and paramedics were at a scene in Leentjiesklip, George, yesterday (Saturday) afternoon where a 93-year-old female had sadly passed away,” Lambinon said.

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