Boat capsizes on Kowie - two drown

TWO people died after their boat capsized in the mouth of the Kowie River at the weekend.

The names of the deceased cannot be published until their families have been notified of their death.

On Saturday, four men were on board the 26-foot Butt-Cat Hawaii when the accident happened.

According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the boat was found capsized, and washed on to a sand bank in a strong rip current in the outgoing spring tide, in three- to four-metre swells.

NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon said a sea rescue craft was launched and rescue swimmers were dispatched to a beach alongside the river mouth. “An NSRI rescue swimmer was posted on the harbour wall to act as spotter during the operation. Two adult male survivors, one the skipper of the boat, were found safe on the beach, and sadly one deceased adult male was located on the beach.

“The [body of the] deceased man ... located on the beach was placed in the care of police and the forensic pathology services. Paramedics attended to the two survivors. They were transported to hospital by ambulance in a stable condition suffering from shock.”

Lambinon said rescuers searched for the fourth person who was on the boat when it capsized.

“An extensive sea and shoreline search continued for the one missing man, and police cordoned off the area. The fourth adult man was found floating semi-submerged in the water 50 meters off-shore wearing a life-jacket.”

The man was taken to the beach but was unfortunately declared dead by paramedics.

“All four fishermen of Hawaii are accounted for, and they were all confirmed to be local commercial fishermen. The NSRI and the emergency services extend their sincere condolences to family, friends and colleagues of the two deceased fishermen,” Lambinon said.

Police have opened an docket. — inquest