VLEESBAAI NEWS - The body of a local fisherman was found offshore of Fransmanshoek near Vleesbaai on Friday, 21 February.

According to the NSRI, its Mossel Bay duty crew was activated at 15:17 that afternoon following reports of a body floating in the water.

The NSRI rescue craft St Blaise Rescuer was launched while the NSRI rescue vehicle, provincial EMS and the police responded.

While responding, the NSRI was informed that the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre had received reports of a man overboard a local fishing vessel. A local boater had come across the body.

"On arrival on the scene, approximately 2.8 nautical miles offshore, NSRI crew onboard the rescue craft secured the body, receiving authorisation from police to recover it on to the rescue craft," said the NSRI in a statement.

The man's body was taken to the NSRI Mossel Bay Station 15 rescue base and then taken into the care of forensic pathology services.

An inquest docket has been opened by police.

The NSRI said it had been confirmed the man was the skipper of a local fishing vessel.

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’