MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management Services were awarded certificates on 15 August for their role in the 2023 search and rescue operation after the fishing vessel, Dijaanda ran aground on 8 August last year near Gouritzmond.
Members of the Fire Services were handed certificates by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Station 15 in Mossel Bay and a letter of thanks from the directors of the NSRI was given to Francois Roberts and Shaun London, who were pivotal in the effort by Fire Services.
Major rescues
NSRI Station 15 commander JC Roos said that reports of rescue operations considered as major rescues are submitted to an awards committee within the NSRI which determines whether giving recognition for the efforts of participants is validated.
“Therefore, to be recognised like this is quite an achievement,” said Roos.
Certificates were also given to a representative of Eden Metro EMS and members of the Gouritzmond community.
“The way we work in Mossel Bay and on the Garden Route is unique," said Joseph Johnston, Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management Services senior manager.
The recipients (from left) Jocanka Merthens, Carlo Klaassen, Jorrie Jordaan, Shaun London, Francois Roberts, JC Roos and Dawie Zwiegelaar. Photos: Mossel Bay Municipality
"The connection we have with each other is what brings us as emergency services together. It is a testimony of our shared goal to do the best for our community – even if we have to assist in our neighbouring towns. In this case, it was Gouritzmond," he said.
Johnston lauded the NSRI for its assistance to the community of Mossel Bay, and as partners to the Mossel Bay Municipality in rendering community safety-related services.
Distress call
On 8 August 2023 at 01:50 the NSRI Mossel Bay was alerted of a distress call from the Gouritzmond area.
While NSRI Station 15 members JC Roos, Dawie Zwiegelaar and Jovanka Merthens were en route, more information was gathered from Mossel Bay Port Control and members of the fishing community who offered to help with the search.
The NSRI met with locals at the scene at 03:00, and the search began. Vessel Dijaanda was spotted at 04:00, grounded in a small bay against rocks and battered by waves and the incoming tide.
Shaun London (left) and NSRI Station 15 commander, JC Roos. Photo: Mossel Bay Municipality
The skipper was on the rocks, one person was shouting frantically from the vessel and a few bodies were seen floating in the water. Zwiegelaar, with the help of Jorrie Jordaan (Gouritz Policing Forum) summoned additional resources.
Org Niewoudt (Gouritz Fishing Charters) acted as a medic, treating the first patients for hypothermia and shock, while firefighters Shaun London, Francois Roberts and NSRI members Roos and Merthens recovered the bodies of four deceased crew members.
Just before dawn, Carlo Klaasen, an Eden Metro rescue diver, assisted Roos, who swam tethered to a line anchored ashore by Klaassen, to reach the vessel. Roos managed to safely bring the casualty to shore. Of the seven crew aboard Dijaanda, two were rescued, four were deceased and one was missing.
“The dedication and teamwork, together with the skill, determination, valour, and bravery displayed by the Station 15 crew, shore control staff and members of the public, going to the aid of the persons in trouble, in dangerous conditions, without concern for their safety, was in the very finest traditions of the National Sea Rescue Institute, which we are pleased to recognise, with the director’s letter of thanks,” the letter concluded.
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