NSRI volunteers are on stand-by to evacuate the crew of a rice ship that is in trouble between Knysna and Sedgefield.

NSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, says volunteer crews were activated at around 3-30 on Thursday morning after the 165 metre bulk rice carrier, Kianu Satu, reported mechanical trouble.

Lambinon says a Skymed helicopter is also on stand-by at George Airport should the need arise.

"The ship is about half a mile off shore, the anker is holding there is also a tug boat holding her off despite the 5 meter rough on shore sea swells. The 19 crew on board are currently safe and the vessel have reported to have touched ground a few times this morning" he said.

UPDATE 2 :

All 19 crew members of the 165 meter rice bulk carrier container ship KIANI SATU are being evacuated off the casualty ship in relays by NSRI Knysna and NSRI Wilderness sea rescue boats.

Once safely ashore the crew will be processed and handed into the care of Police and Tourism officials. No injuries have been sustained.

The first 9 crew members were brought safely ashore at 09h34.

Environmental risks are being assessed by SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) and efforts will be made to salvage the ship.

ORIGINAL REPORT:

Home / Sea Rescue /

WALKER POINT, BUFFELS BAY – Thursday, 08th August, 2013. Ship at risk:

At 03h39 on Thursday the 8th of August NSRI Knysna volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority following reports of the KIANI SATU, a 165 meter rice bulk carrier container ship, at risk of running aground at Walker Bay, between Knysna and Sedgefield with 19 crew members aboard who are believed to be Filipino and Ukranian nationals.

Our Knysna volunteers responded towing our sea rescue craft JAYTEE III and SPIRIT OF KYC and NSRI Wilderness volunteer sea rescue duty crew were also activated and they have towed their sea rescue craft SPIRIT OF ROTARY 100 and SERENDIPITY and our NSRI rescue crews are standing-by at Walker Point ready to launch to rescue the 19 crew if that becomes necessary. The Red Cross AMS Skymed 2 helicopter at George Airport is also on high alert accompanied by NSRI helicopter rescue swimmers to respond if it becomes necessary.

According to SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) the salvage vessel SMIT AMANDLA was dispatched from Cape Town in the early hours of this morning and is expected to reach the scene at nightfall today.

NSRI are poised on the shore ready to spring into action if it becomes necessary.

The ship, sailing from Cape Town, to Gabon, appears to have run into motor mechanical problems yesterday. A tug boat, the Fairmont Glazier, were dispatched to assist and is onscene. In 5 meter swells and gusting to 45 knot onshore Westerly winds the casualty vessel KIANI SATU has dragged anchor and they are now lying about half a nautical mile off-shore and her anchor is currently holding.

Fog has descended further hampering the stand-by rescue operation. There are no direct access points for media on the scene and media are respectfully requested to hold back and not approach as the coastline in the area is dangerous and the ship cannot be viewed from shore.

“The Captain is not willing to have his crew leave the ship at this stage and NSRI on-scene Commander Graeme Harding, NSRI Knysna station commander, is in agreement that unless the situation turns worse it is unnecessary to evacuate crew in the dark under these sea conditions.

Media are respectfully requested to NOT call NSRI by phone on the scene and to liaise only via NSRI Communications at 0823803800.

This is a tense situation and our NSRI rescue resources on the scene cannot have communications tied up.

NSRI DOES NOT HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS AT THIS STAGE.

At this stage all crew onboard the trawler are safe and decisions on further action are being assessed.

Further updates will follow periodically as the morning progresses.