Three South African navy personnel died and a senior officer was in critical condition after seven crew members of a submarine were swept off the deck by large waves as a helicopter attempted to transport supplies “vertically,” the country’s defense ministry said on Thursday with.
The accident occurred on Wednesday when an Air Force Lynx helicopter attempted a so-called “vertrep” – or vertical replenishment – of supplies for the submarine SAS Manthatisi on the surface of the sea near Kommetjie, off the coast of Cape Town, said the department with.
A South African Type 209 submarine, the Manthatisi (foreground), arrives in Simon’s Town, South Africa, April 7, 2006. RODGER BOSCH/AFP/Getty
The operation was immediately canceled and a rescue operation was initiated.
All seven submariners were recovered, but three were pronounced dead. A crew member of the helicopter, who was sent as a “surface swimmer” to support the rescue operation, was also recovered and is in hospital along with the four surviving submariners.
Click here to view related media.
Click to expand
The department identified the three victims as Lieutenant Commander Gillian Elizabeth Hector, Master Warrant Officer William Masela Mathipa and Warrant Officer Class One Mmokwapa Lucas Mojela. Several South African news outlets reported that Hector was the first woman to ever pilot a military submarine for an African country.
The National Sea Rescue Institute and other emergency services were called in to help with the rescue, the defense ministry said, adding that an investigation would be launched into the failed operation and resulting deaths.
Cape Town and other areas on South Africa’s southern coast have been hit by extremely rough seas since last weekend, caused by a phenomenon called “spring tide”.
South African Defense Force analyst Dean Wingrin told the defenseWeb website that the submarine would be moved to the Cape Town coast starting Saturday for a three-day naval exhibition. The Navy has planned the exhibition to mark South Africa’s national holiday, Heritage Day, on Sunday.
“This is a sad loss for our nation and especially for our brave armed forces who regularly face danger to keep us all safe,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement. “We wish the injured employees a full recovery from the physical and psychological trauma they suffered during this tragedy. We also appreciate the efforts of all those involved who carried out the rescue and recovery operation at great risk to themselves.”
In a Facebook post, the South African National Defense Force said members of the public brought flowers to the chapel at the Naval Museum in Simon’s Town in memory of the victims.
The SAS Manthatisi is one of three German-built Type 209/1400 Heroine submarines in the South African naval fleet and returned to the water earlier this year after maintenance work.
Trending News
Read more