South African authorities have reported one of the most dramatic maritime rescues in recent years after 21 fishermen were saved when their trawler, Silver Dorado, caught fire on the evening of 12 January, forcing the crew to abandon ship.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said multiple rescue teams were activated after receiving a distress call from the vessel’s crew, who reported the fire had spread rapidly and they were preparing to leave the trawler.
The distress position indicated the vessel was about one nautical mile off Noordhoek, near Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. The trawler had departed Port Elizabeth earlier the same day.
Before the distress alert was received, NSRI said its Emergency Operations Centre had already been notified at 17:52 local time by a witness who raised the alarm after spotting the burning fishing vessel. The report came from a member of a local water-ski club.
Rescue resources were dispatched, and vessels in the area were instructed to divert and assist. By the time help arrived, all 21 crew members had abandoned the burning trawler and were in the water. One of the first on scene was the local fishing vessel Leguga, which launched its rescue raft to recover survivors.
NSRI reported that at least five other fishing vessels also responded after receiving the distress call. Leguga rescued 12 fishermen from the raft and the sea, while three of the arriving vessels recovered the remaining nine. All 21 crew members—reported to be South African—were accounted for and confirmed safe.
The rescued fishermen were transferred to the NSRI rescue craft Bay Guardian and taken to the NSRI rescue base at Port Elizabeth, where they received medical attention.
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and police have opened an investigation into the cause of the fire. NSRI said the blaze appeared to spread quickly after it was discovered by the captain. According to NSRI, much of the crew was resting in cabins and did not have time to launch the vessel’s life raft, but the captain managed to transmit a distress message over VHF radio.
Following the rescue, the vessel’s owners appointed a salvage and spill-response company to monitor the situation and attempt access to the burning trawler, though efforts are being hampered by a hazardous reef and darkness.
