DA requests urgent audit of rescue vessels
The DA extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives after a 42-metre fishing trawler capsized due to heavy sea swells south of Hangklip.
We will write to the Minister of Transport, Dipuo Peters, to request that her office investigate this accident and that swift action be taken in order to prevent any such incidents in the future.
Last month, in a report to the Portfolio Committee on Transport by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the NSRI CEO, Cleeve Robertson, expressed concern at the fact that our rescue capacity do not meet the operational and minimum standards required to assist in emergency situations.
This unfortunate incident follows a warning, earlier this month, from the DA to Minister Peters on 2 September, in a declaration delivered in Parliament on the Consideration of the Request for Approval of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel. In that declaration, ahead of South Africa’s decision to participate in this Convention, I expressed the urgent need to improve our rescue capacity and warned that, with more than 12 000 vessels cruising our coast, it is shocking to learn that we currently only have one land-on licensed pilot in South Africa.
The DA will now demand a swift reaction and the immediate appointment of a rescue and emergency support audit to be conducted before the end of 2015, following this latest incident.
In the declaration earlier this month, the DA emphasized the government’s responsibility to adhere to the international standards and procedures involved in the shipping industry. It is one thing to accept membership to a Convention and another to comply with the responsibilities.
Our people, who earn a living and contribute to the economy by working in dangerous conditions every day, deserve the highest standards.
We thank all officials, as well as all those on cargo vessels and fishing boats amongst other rescue crafts, who responded to the emergency call-out and we hope, sincerely, that the remaining three members of the crew who are still missing despite extensive air and sea searches, will be rescued.
Issued by Chris Hunsinger, DA Deputy Shadow Minister of Transport, 28 September 2015
