Rescue for 62 stranded seafarers expected today on Gough Island

A crew of 62 seafarers, including 47 South Africans and one Brit, were forced to abandon ship after their vessel struck underwater rocks near Gough Island in the South Atlantic, about 2500km from Cape Town.

The Belize-registered Geo Searcher ship sank after it started taking on water on Thursday morning [October 15], the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) says. All 62 crew members have been safely evacuated from the vessel and are now on Gough Island.

The seafarers had abandoned the vessel once the water ingress resulted in the vessel tilting (listing) 45 degrees in what was reported as unfavourable sea conditions. The seafarers managed to climb into lifeboats and other onboard small craft before making their way from the northern point of the island around to the southern region close to the SA research station.

They were assisted ashore and are all reported to be accounted for. They have all been accommodated at the research base.

One crew member sustained slight injuries.

A multi-organisational effort to collect the 62 seafarers is underway.

“SAMSA’S MRCC, Department of Environmental Affairs (SA AGULHAS II), and AMSOL along with the representatives and owners of the stricken vessel, have collaborated in arranging for the SA Research vessel SA AGULHAS II to sail for Gough Island in the south Atlantic Ocean to collect the seafarers,” says SAMSA.

“The stricken seafarers are 47 South African, 3 Portuguese, 1 British, 2 Ghanaian, 1 Indonesian, 4 Namibian and 2 Tristan citizens.” Reports say that since being built as a research vessel, she had been converted for fishing.

The SA AGULHAS II is expected to reach the island today, if weather conditions allow. The vessel is carrying two helicopters onboard which will, says SAMSA, greatly assist in the transfer of the stricken seafarers from the island to the vessel. It is expected that the vessel will then make its return voyage arriving by possibly next week, Friday or Saturday.

The South African search and rescue region covers approximately 28 million km² of ocean stretching halfway across to South America and halfway to Australia, and includes the Antarctic area up to the South Pole. The area is one of the biggest regions in the world and covers some of the most treacherous seas on the planet.

So sad to hear that the Geo Searcher has sunk of Gough island. But happy that all the crew & observers are safely ashore. Here she is in better days. #geosearcher #Tristandacunha #sadloss.@KellyGrTDC @NatureTristan @fkilpatricktdc pic.twitter.com/bFJcQqoVcW

— Robin Repetto (@RepettoRobin) October 16, 2020