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- The NSRI helped rescue 22 fishermen in Table Bay on Saturday morning.
- Spokesperson Craig Lambinon said a rescue team, including police and EMS, had responded to the capsizing vessel at 10:00 on Saturday.
- One man was hospitalised for minor injuries.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) rescued 22 fishermen from a capsizing vessel in Table Bay on Saturday morning.
Spokesperson Craig Lambinon said they had received an alert about the 35-metre long-line fishing trawler, which was 30 nautical miles south-west of the Port of Cape Town on Friday.
Due to changing sea conditions, there had been no sign of danger until 10:00 on Saturday, he added.
A team comprising EMS, Sea Borderline Control, and SAPS Water Policing and Diving Services (WPDS) were then alerted.
"At around 10:00, it was reported that the situation had deteriorated as sea conditions changed, wind speeds and sea swells increased in intensity, and NSRI decided to launch an assist," Lambinon said.
"The NSRI Hout Bay rescue craft Nadine Gordimer and the NSRI Table Bay rescue craft DHL Deliverer were launched, accompanied by water pumps – an additional water pump had been delivered to NSRI Hout Bay by the NSRI Simon's Town crew."
Lambinon added that, by the time the rescue team got to the scene, the vessel was already underwater, and that the crew had vacated it for a life raft. He said that NSRI medics had treated one man for minor injuries and that he was hospitalised in a stable condition.
The vessel completely capsized shortly after the rescue, Lambinon added.
"Thoughts and care are with the 22 casualty fishermen and their families, as well as the owners of the fishing company in this difficult time, but we are confident that they will be back on the sea shortly. Authorities are assessing the environmental impact of the sunken fishing trawler."
