A massive sea rescue mission was launched in East London at the weekend after a paddler from Johannesburg went missing during the annual Pete Marlin Surf-ski Race.A total of 133 surf-skiers started the challenge from the East London Orient Beach to Yellow Sands. Hundred completed the race, with the remaining either retiring or forced to withdraw due to weather conditions.
The water sport event, however, took a tragic turn when six surf-skiers were reported missing. A search was launched by a team consisting of police disaster management, a police dive unit, Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre and Telkom Maritime Radio Services. They managed to save all but one.
Only 43-year-old Mark Feather remained missing yesterday.
National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesman Craig Lambinon said the paddlers went missing because of the windy conditions that hit the shores of East London at the weekend.
“Wind conditions increased to 47 knots and 6.5m swells during the challenge, resulting in a number of surf-skiers being reported missing,” Lambinon said.
He said none of the five rescued surf-skiers had been injured.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch during the search and rescue mission, Lambinon said the search resumed at 4.30am yesterday. Two aircraft, one helicopter, sea rescue boats and shore patrols were searching the East London seawaters for the missing man.
“The rescue team is out at sea and considering that the wind is strong, we have widened our search area,” Lambinon said.
He said an extensive search had been carried out from where Feather was last estimated to have been on the surf-ski challenge course towards the direction of the Kei River Mouth.
Lambinon said a part of the missing surf-ski was found along the shore at Morgan Bay and was positively identified as that of Feather’s.
“As the search progressed more debris of the surf-ski was found washed up on the shore further north resulting in the search area being narrowed to a more concentrated area.
NSRI are appealing to local and fishing communities in the areas of Morgan Bay to the Great Kei River and northwards into Transkei to be alert and to report anything that could assist the search.
At midday yesterday, disaster management spokesman Captain John Fobian told the Daily Dispatch that the search was still in full swing.
“The multi-team search continues. We are receiving assistance from different units and volunteers. The search for now is between East London and Kei Mouth,” Fobian said.
Organisers of the competition refused to comment.
The Daily Dispatch was unable to speak to the missing man’s family yesterday. Lambinon said the family had requested privacy during this time.
“The family of the missing man are being supported and kept informed by sea rescue and by police. The police have opened an investigation into the incident.” — siphem@dispatch.co.za
Paddler missing after five others rescued
The water sport event, however, took a tragic turn when six surf-skiers were reported missing. A search was launched by a team consisting of police disaster management, a police dive unit, Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre and Telkom Maritime Radio Services. They managed to save all but one.
Only 43-year-old Mark Feather remained missing yesterday.
National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesman Craig Lambinon said the paddlers went missing because of the windy conditions that hit the shores of East London at the weekend.
“Wind conditions increased to 47 knots and 6.5m swells during the challenge, resulting in a number of surf-skiers being reported missing,” Lambinon said.
He said none of the five rescued surf-skiers had been injured.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch during the search and rescue mission, Lambinon said the search resumed at 4.30am yesterday. Two aircraft, one helicopter, sea rescue boats and shore patrols were searching the East London seawaters for the missing man.
“The rescue team is out at sea and considering that the wind is strong, we have widened our search area,” Lambinon said.
He said an extensive search had been carried out from where Feather was last estimated to have been on the surf-ski challenge course towards the direction of the Kei River Mouth.
Lambinon said a part of the missing surf-ski was found along the shore at Morgan Bay and was positively identified as that of Feather’s.
“As the search progressed more debris of the surf-ski was found washed up on the shore further north resulting in the search area being narrowed to a more concentrated area.
NSRI are appealing to local and fishing communities in the areas of Morgan Bay to the Great Kei River and northwards into Transkei to be alert and to report anything that could assist the search.
At midday yesterday, disaster management spokesman Captain John Fobian told the Daily Dispatch that the search was still in full swing.
“The multi-team search continues. We are receiving assistance from different units and volunteers. The search for now is between East London and Kei Mouth,” Fobian said.
Organisers of the competition refused to comment.
The Daily Dispatch was unable to speak to the missing man’s family yesterday. Lambinon said the family had requested privacy during this time.
“The family of the missing man are being supported and kept informed by sea rescue and by police. The police have opened an investigation into the incident.” — siphem@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos