Search continues for stowaway after jumping ship off Durban coast

A search operation is ongoing off the coast of Durban after a man went missing at sea when a group of suspected stowaways abandoned a container vessel.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said it became aware of the incident at around 18:00 on Monday, 20 April, with reports indicating that the initial emergency alert had been raised earlier in the afternoon.

Seven men went overboard

According to information received via Telkom Maritime Radio Services, a Pan Pan marine radio broadcast reported that seven men had gone overboard from a container ship approximately five nautical miles offshore as the vessel approached the Port of Durban.

It is believed the men, thought to be stowaways, entered the water in an apparent attempt to swim to shore.

Six were rescued by the ship, while one man remains missing.

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) coordinated an initial search involving the vessel and two additional commercial ships in the vicinity.

Multiple vessels engaged in search

Later, NSRI Durban launched a rescue operation in consultation with Transnet National Ports Authority Port Control, despite nightfall and the time elapsed since the alarm was raised.

Rescue craft Alick Rennie and Spirit of Surfski 6 were deployed, with search patterns plotted using drift data and weather conditions.

The operation included cooperation with multiple vessels already engaged in the search.

Authorities alerted

Despite extensive efforts, including the deployment of a drift buoy to assess currents, no sign of the missing man has been found.

He was last reportedly seen wearing a green shirt and green pants.

Authorities, including Police Search and Rescue and Sea Borderline Control, have been alerted, while the KwaZulu-Natal surf rescue network has been asked to remain on the lookout.

All ships in the area continue to be notified as the search effort remains active.

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