/ 8 March 2002

TRAWLER STRANDED OFF PORT ST JOHNS

ATTEMPTS to tow a stricken trawler off the Port St Johns coast in the Eastern Cape to safety were expected to resume on Wednesday morning after a towline became trapped around the propellers of a tug. The Tropical ran into trouble 56 nautical miles south of Port St Johns with nine crew members on board. It was reported to have lost power late on Monday evening. The trawler, which was anchored, had 800m of heavy wire on its stern –the back end of the vessel — while the stern faced into the current, raising concern that it might run into difficulties. Port St Johns National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) could not help as it has only a 5,5m boat that carries just five people. – Sapa

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