South African fisherman saved as boat capsizes

Four Hermanus fishermen had a lucky escape when they were rescued by colleagues after their boat capsized.

But now the struggle is on to save their livelihood - the five-metre craft left at sea after the first salvage attempts failed.

The owner and skipper of the boat Masakane 1, Colin Matinka, may have his hands full today in trying to bring his overturned vessel back to the fishing harbour at Hermanus.

Matinka and his three crew had been fortunate to have had the help of fellow fishermen nearby aboard another boat, the Rosemary, when Masakane 1 capsized about 4pm yesterday, said Craig Lambinon of the National Sea Rescue Institute.

Matinka and his crew had had a good day's fishing, bringing aboard a large catch of snoek.

But the boat dipped low in the water under the load of fish and water flooded over the side. Then it rolled over in a swell.

Masakane's crew was picked up by the crew of the Rosemary, but a salvage tow failed.

Source: www.capeargus.co.za