High drama at sea

A massive search operation unfolded yesterday (Wednesday) for two missing divers.

Helicopters, private boats and rescue vessels from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) together with K9 Search and Rescue joined the huge search for divers, Mike Fraser and his son, Alan, better known as ‘Moo’ from Pumula.

It’s believed they had launched from Ramsgate to dive off Protea Banks in the morning.
Mike was found off Kidd’s Beach and Alan was picked up off Port Edward in the afternoon after being in the ocean for several hours.

Talking to the Herald from the beach, Alan said he was relieved.

“It was a long and hot swim. But, my dad and I are fine. I could see the boats but the they couldn’t see me but eventually they spotted me,” he said.

Mike and Alan have made headlines often over the years.

If they are not making fascinating discoveries of rare coelacanths, then they are saving an entangled whale.

In 2016, they were returning to the Ramsgate launch site after a magic dive off San Lameer when they came upon a humpback whale badly entangled in the shark nets.

Alan grabbed his mask, fins and the bait knife and jumped overboard to help the whale, while Mike held the boat in position, concerned about Alan and the whale’s safety.

In November 2019, Mike, Alan and their good friend Bruce Henderson along with dive buddy Mossie Carstens, came across a coelacanth at a depth of 72 metres off Pumula.

In 2021, Alan and Mike had the privilege of seeing another one at a depth of 55 metres off Margate.

Then in March 2022, Alan was diving on a deep reef near Pumula with Mike, and Bruce when they spotted another coelacanth, at 67 metres.

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