A ”rubber duck” surf boat, with 12 people on board, exploded offshore near the Fish River Sun on Friday afternoon, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said.
Spokesperson Craig Lambinon said the boat’s occupants — believed to be divers — were not injured in the accident as they abandoned it minutes before it exploded and swam to shore at about 5pm. The cause of the explosion was not known.
”On arrival, the rescuers found the divers safely ashore.”
The boat sank.
Its nose was protruding upright out of the water about a metre as it seemed to be weighed down by its engines, said Lambinon. ”A lot of burnt debris was found floating in the vicinity.”
Lambinon said the boat’s owners will try to recover it.
The NSRI worked with police divers and the metro ambulance and rescue services at the scene. — Sapa