There was little hope of finding the 12 crew still missing following the capsizing of the fishing boat Kingfisher, Eastern Cape police said on Wednesday.
”We accept that they’re assumed drowned at this point,” said Captain John Fobian.”
He said the search would continue for bodies.
”We carry that 1% hope that we’ll find them alive,” said Fobian, while saying ”the likelihood is zero”.
Due to the festive season, ”we want to think some miracle will happen”.
Maritime rescue coordination centre spokesperson Sarene Kloren said the weather conditions were harsh and ”unless they’re in life rafts, their survival chances aren’t great”.
Gavin Radcliffe, the owner of the Kingfisher, said the vessel had one life raft capable of seating 25.
Fobian said the sole life raft had already been recovered soon after the accident, with only one occupant. He said that a second life raft that had been recovered was probably from one of the ships that had
joined the search for Kingfisher survivors.
Police are continuing the search with helicopters, divers and 40 others from the local fire department, the National Sea Rescue Institute and volunteers who are searching the shore.
Radcliffe said that while the wooden ship was 30 years old, it had passed its annual inspection two weeks ago.
The Kingfisher had left port to fish for calamari four days before it capsized on Monday.
Fobian said that an inquest docket had been opened. Statements would be taken from witnesses, survivors and the owner and a senior prosecutor and the National Prosecuting Authority would decide whether any charges would be laid.
”It’s difficult to make assumptions until we get all the evidence,” said Fobian. – Sapa