Source: @The_Bulrushes
Search continues for five Nigerian crew members after MW Leo sinks off Mossel Bay
Reported by The Citizen , a dramatic rescue operation is underway off the coast of Mossel Bay following the sinking of the MW Leo vessel on Saturday evening. Authorities confirmed that five Nigerian crew members remain missing, while 12 have been rescued alive and one body has been recovered.
Vessel sinks after distress call
The MW Leo, registered under the Comoros flag and owned by Magnet Energy Limited in Lagos, Nigeria, sent a distress signal after taking on uncontrolled water approximately 80 nautical miles south of Mossel Bay. At the time, the ship was en route from Durban to Nigeria.
“The crew abandoned ship onto liferafts as the vessel began to sink in the early hours of 1 March 2026,” said officials. All 18 crew members were confirmed to be of Nigerian nationality.
Coordinated rescue efforts
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has launched a preliminary investigation, while the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Cape Town coordinates ongoing search operations. Federal Republic of Nigeria’s High Commissioner, HE Tope Ajayi, is being regularly updated on developments.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa expressed their condolences to the families affected and urged patience as rescue efforts continue in challenging maritime conditions.
Social media posts from local fishermen and maritime enthusiasts show coastguard vessels and helicopters scanning the waves, capturing the tense and emotional atmosphere of the ongoing search.
Broader maritime safety concerns
This tragedy comes amid renewed focus on maritime safety along South Africa’s southern coast, an area with busy shipping lanes and unpredictable weather conditions. Experts note that rapid water ingress is one of the most dangerous emergencies at sea, and abandoning ship onto liferafts is often the only way to survive in such scenarios.
A reminder of other local incidents
In a separate incident last month, a 26-year-old Zimbabwean man went missing while wading in the Bot River Lagoon near Fisherhaven. Despite extensive search operations by the NSRI Hermanus, he has not been found. Authorities have opened a police investigation, highlighting the persistent risks associated with South Africa’s waterways.
What comes next
Rescue teams continue to comb the area off Mossel Bay in hopes of locating the five missing Nigerians. The incident underscores the importance of maritime preparedness and rapid response. Families of the crew, authorities, and local maritime organizations remain on high alert, hoping for a positive outcome in the days ahead.
{Source: The Citizen}
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