The National Sea Rescue’s (NSRI) Oyster Bay duty crew were activated following a request for assistance from a fisherman on a fishing sea kayak in difficulty as a shark was pulling him out to sea.
The incident took place at 9.25am on Saturday, October 17 off-shore of Skuitbaai, Eersterivierstrand, between Tsitsikamma and Oyster Bay.
“The sea rescue craft Caltex Challenger 2 and Rescue 36 Alpha were towed to Skuitbaai and launched,” the NSRI said. “NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew were placed on alert. The 61-year-old man, from George, was located 1.5 nautical miles off-shore of Skuitbaai at anchor on his fishing sea kayak.”
“The fisherman has told NSRI that while fishing at sea on his fishing sea kayak he had hooked a fish using a fishing rod and line when a shark got hold of the fish and started pulling him out to sea. The shark made off with his fish and he lost his paddle and some fishing gear,” the organisation continued. “Unable to paddle back to shore he was able to cast his anchor when he then raised the alarm.”
He was brought safely to shore without incident aboard a sea rescue craft and his sea kayak was recovered and once safely ashore he required no further assistance.
Picture: NSRI