Chokka boat survivors describe terror at sea

[caption id="attachment_212054" align="aligncenter" width="630"] A member of the rescue team knocks on the hull of the capsized chokka fishing vessel in the hope of finding more survivors inside
Picture: Werner Hills[/caption]

Eight still missing after search called off due to bad weather conditions

I just prayed and prayed and prayed – this is how a rescued fisherman from a capsized chokka boat described the three terrifying hours he spent fighting for his life in rough, icy seas off Cape St Francis in the early hours of yesterday.

The search for the missing fishermen was expected to continue at first light this morning. Lambinon said another chokka boat, Silver Eagle, had raised the alarm after seeing red distress flares, calling the Telkom Maritime Radio Services and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre.