The skipper of the Ntini fishing vessel was adamant that his 20-member crew had spotted an iceberg off St Francis Bay on Monday evening, he told Cape Town Radio on Tuesday.
The boat’s captain told the station he was certain about the dimensions and location of the iceberg. He had also taken pictures of it.
Ian Hunter, principal marine researcher for the South African Weather Service, said he could not go against what the captain had said, but added that an iceberg in that area was unlikely.
The object was spotted by the Ntini crew at 6pm on Monday, 35 nautical miles south-east off St Francis Bay. The crew said it measured 20m wide and 25m high.
Hunter said a vessel off the Cape west coast in February 2002 reported a ”growler” — the remains of an iceberg — less than 5m long with freeboard (height above water level) below 1m.
The Ntini is expected to dock in Mossel Bay on Friday. — Sapa