The SADC Special Forces is conducting a multinational force preparation exercise known as Exercise WELWITCHIA hosted by the Namibian Armed Forces in Namibia over the period 9 September to 14 October 2013.
During the evening on 5 October 2013, at approximately 21h00, an incident involving two Barracuda boats occurred when a Seaborne Group was en route to Sandwich Harbour in Walvis Bay for beach landing exercise. One boat executed a power turn and a huge wave flooded it with water and as a result it capsized. Another Barracuda boat went to the rescue and members on the distressed boat scrambled to the one side of the rescuing boat causing it to tilt and capsize.
Of the sixteen crew members, 11 swam to safety and two were picked up by Angolan boats. One member from Malawi drowned and washed out on the beach. Two South Africans are still missing. The two boats were washed out 10 miles away and were recovered. All emergency services involving air, land and sea assets have been activated and are conducting an extensive search and rescue for the members. These efforts will continue depending on the state of the sea. No decision has been reached on when the search and rescue efforts will be called off.
Enquiries:
Captain (SAN) Zamo Sithole
Joint Operations Division Communication Officer
Cell: 084 714 1801
E-mail: sithole.zg@gmail.com
