PE trawler towed to safety off Agulhas

A PORT Elizabeth fishing trawler was towed to safety in Struisbaai after an electrical fire on board caused engine failure south of Agulhas on Monday.

The 16-man crew of the 13.5m trawler Dodeka arrived safely in Struisbaai just after midnight yesterday after an electrical fire caused the vessel's engines to fail at 2.48pm the previous day, when the ship was 15 nautical miles south of Cape Agulhas in the 12 Mile Bank fishing area.

National Sea Rescue Institute Agulhas station commander Reinard Geldenhuys said his station had been put on alert since early yesterday morning. However, efforts to restore electrical power to the boat failed.

"The NSRI was activated. NSRI Hermanus was asked to assist with their larger rescue craft after it was confirmed that the trawler would need to be towed to Struisbaai," he said.

Geldenhuys said NSRI Agulhas volunteer crew launched the Vodacom Rescuer VII at 5.30pm and NSRI Hermanus volunteer crew launched South Star at 6.50pm with the aim of meeting the trawler off Struisbaai at 12 Mile Bank.

The trawler was then towed safely to Struisbaai. - Shaun Gillham