Twenty crew members were safely rescued after a fire broke out aboard the Sea Harvest fishing vessel, MVF Armana, while it was sailing approximately 60 nautical miles off the coast of Cape Town, Western Cape, on Sunday.
The fire occurred during the early morning hours on the 62-year-old vessel, initially raising concerns that it might sink.
However, the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC), based at the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) Centre for Sea Watch and Response in Cape Town, later confirmed that all 20 crew members had safely abandoned the ship and awaited rescue.
According to SAMSA, the crew was promptly picked up by another Sea Harvest vessel, the MFV Ludwani, which was in the vicinity and responded to the distress call.
“Fortunately, all 20 crew members have been rescued, are confirmed unharmed, and are en route to Cape Town aboard the MFV Ludwani,” SAMSA said, adding that the families of the crew have been notified and are being kept informed of the situation.
The MVF Armana remains adrift, approximately 57 nautical miles south of Cape Town, where it is currently being monitored by the MFV Harvest Saldanha.
SAMSA has directed the vessel’s owner to engage a tug for towing the damaged ship to a safe location and to appoint a salvage team to manage the recovery.
