30 July 1999
Minister Dullar Omar attended a meeting yesterday with representatives of the company that owns the fishing vessel and families of the crew. He conveyed his condolences, sympathy and support of government to the relatives. He also thanked the company for assisting the families and undertaking to provide material assistance, including making provision for funerals.
Family members expressed their appreciation to Minister Omar for arranging for the search and rescue operation to be extended for an additional day. The result was the recovery of another body. Families accepted with sadness the reality that the chances of finding other survivors were extremely slim. However, family members asked for divers to be sent down to the wreck in the hope of recovering more bodies.
In addressing the families, the Minister said he appreciated the difficult times and trauma which the families were going through. His view was that every effort should be made to recover the remaining bodies wherever possible. Minister Omar immediately contacted fellow Cabinet Ministers, as a result of which the assistance of the SA Navy was secured. An investigation has been launched to ascertain the feasibility of getting divers to the wreckage. It is feared that the wreckage is too deep down for divers to reach it. A further statement will be issued in this regard as soon as the position has been clarified. Minister Omar thanks the SA Navy for agreeing to do this and also the company for agreeing to assist.
Issued by: Mike Mabasa
Corporate Communications
Office: (012) 309 3162. Fax: (012) 324 2312
cell: 083 680 7048
email: mabasam@ndot.pwv.gov.za