THE search and rescue operation to find nine crew members from a capsized fishing trawler off St Francis Bay on the Eastern Cape coast was to resume on Wednesday morning after poor weather conditions and bad visibility hampered earlier rescue efforts. The Southern Reaper, with a crew of 19, overturned in heavy seas on Tuesday afternoon. Eight fisherman were rescued and two managed to swim to the shore. Nine more are still lost at sea. Premier Fishing SA (Pty) Limited said the crew of a 45-foot squid freezer vessel put out a mayday call at around 2.10pm stating it was taking in water in rough seas. According to chief executive officer of Premier Fishing, Mo Kajee, the vessel was on its way back to shore to replenish provisions. ”The Southern Reaper was about one nautical mile off the coast of St Francis Bay en route to restock when the distress call was received,” he said. It was too soon to know the reasons why the vessel sunk but a full inquiry would be held, Kajee said. – Sapa