NSRI Safely Tows Ferry to Robben Island After Rescue of 68 Passengers

After rescuing 68 passengers from a sinking Robben Island ferry boat, NSRI successfully managed to tow the ferry to Murray’s Bay harbour at Robben Island.

Several NSRI and other sea rescue craft – at least nine – were sent to assist the sinking vessel, Thandi, on Friday afternoon where Robben Island passenger ferry Madiba 1 was already on the scene. Helicopters were also activated, but were not required in the end.

The boat was “listing to one side from water intake”, the cause of which is still unknown. Some of the 68 passengers were already on life rafts when the rescuers arrived. The others (including 4 crew members) were on the deck.

All were transferred safetly to the Port of Table Bay where they were assessed by paramedics and only a few passengers were treated for mild hypothermia, according to NSRI.

One local female passenger and one local employee were transported to hospital as a precaution, with one suffering from back pain and the other from anxiety.

SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) were alerted and an investigation into the cause of the vessel taking water will be investigated.

The rescued ferry has been pumped free of water and re-floated and secured to a berthing where she remains berthed at Robben Island.