Ian Gray, NSRI Port Elizabeth station commander, said; “At 09h02 on Thursday 7 June, NSRI Port Elizabeth volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following reports of a small fixed wing light aircraft crashed into the sea approximately 1.5 nautical miles off-shore between The Willows and Schoenmakerskop, approximately 18 nautical miles West of the Port Elizabeth harbour.
“Our NSRI volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched our sea rescue craft and a full Emergency Services response was initiated.
“Very shortly into the response it was confirmed that this was not an airplane crashed into the sea but a 12 foot fishing boat that had capsized and the 4 fishermen onboard were setting off red distress flares from the upturned hull of their boat.
“On arrival on-scene all 4 fishermen were found to be safe, not injured, and they have been taken onboard the NSRI sea rescue craft.
“Attempts made by NSRI rescuers on-scene to try to right their capsized fishing boat have been successful and the NSRI rescue craft is now towing the casualty fishing boat towards Port Elizabeth, with all 4 fishermen safe on the NSRI sea rescue craft.
“It is unknown at this stage what caused the fishing boat to capsize and NSRI will provide another statement as soon as more details are available.
“It is unknown at this stage what led to the misconception that this had been an aircraft accident”.
