GOURITSMOND NEWS - The body of one man has been recovered and one man remains missing after the fishing boat that the two men had been on was located washed ashore east of Gouritsmond on Sunday.

The NSRI noted in a statement that police divers (Water Policing and Diving Services) are continuing to search for the man, aged 58, missing at Gouritsmond.

In the statement JC Roos, NSRI Mossel Bay station commander, was quoted as saying that at 05:13 today, NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a local 21-foot fishing ski-boat overdue in returning to Gouritsmond.

It had launched from Gouritsmond, between Still Bay and Mossel Bay, on Saturday afternoon, with the two men - both experienced skippers and experienced fishermen - on board. 

The boat was due back early today, the NSRI believes, but when it did not return the alarm was raised, according to the statement.

The NSRI Mossel Bay rescue craft Spirit of Safmarine III and St Blaise Rescuer were launched while NSRI Still Bay launched the NSRI Still Bay rescue craft Breede Rescuer.

The NSRI Emergency Operations Centre, NSRI Operations headquarters and NSRI Mossel Bay plotted search grids while Telkom Maritime Radio Services broadcast an all-ships alert on the marine VHF radio emergency frequency.

A number of local craft and local fishing vessels, private aircraft (private fixed wing aircraft, remote drone aircraft and private helicopters), the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter, the SA Police Services, Police WPDS and WC Government Health EMS rescue squad, joined the NSRI in the extensive search and rescue operation.

The boat was found and the body of one of the men on the shoreline.

Family of the men are being supported by the NSRI, Chaplain's Services and police, the NSRI notes.
It appealed to the local community, maritime community and vessels at sea to keep a sharp look-out for the missing man.

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