Excitement at rare submarine sighting

A rare submarine sighting in shallow waters off the coast at Morgan Bay had tourists and residents of the small seaside resort buzzing on Tuesday.

Louis Butler, a tourist visiting the Wild Coast from Pretoria, said the submarine had been clearly visible on the surface about 400m from the beach heading “very slowly” north towards Durban.

“We were walking along the beach and we saw what looked like a strange fishing boat until it came out of the water and we could see it was a submarine,” he said.

The sub was captured on camera by German tourist Professor Michael Lentze who also happened to be on the beach at the time.

South African Navy spokesman Captain Zamo Sithole confirmed it was a South African Navy vessel.

“It was one of the South African Navy Submarines, SAS Queen Modjadji, conducting a routine patrol on her way  to Richards Bay to participate in Exercise Oxide taking place at Richards Bay,” said Sithole.

Sithole said the submarine may have surfaced for ventilation or to charge its batteries.

The SAS Queen Modjadji is one of three Heroine Class Type 209 diesel submarines acquired by the South African Navy as part of the infamous ‘arms deal’ to modernise SA’s maritime capability.

“South Africa has 3000km coastline including 800km of Eastern Cape Coastline. It is therefore the  responsibility of the  South African Navy to protect the sea lines of communication and secure ports in order to ensure maritime trade happens without hindrances,” said Sithole.

“Exercise Oxide is a joint and multinational maritime exercise held between the South Indian Ocean French Forces stationed at La Reunion and South African National Defence Force on a two-yearly cycle,” he said.

As part of Exercise Oxide a free demonstration to the public will be held at Richards Bay today for Heritage Day at the Small Craft Harbour.