Jonathan Kellerman, NSRI Durban station commander, said:
At 07h45, Tuesday, 28th April, NSRI Durban duty crew were activated by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following reports of a 35 year old male TNPA ships Pilot fallen into the sea off a crude oil tanker in the vicinity of N Shed Wharf in the Port of Durban after a securing rope on a rope ladder reportedly severed from undetermined causes while the man was disembarking from the crude oil tanker that was under sail departing the Port of Durban.
NSRI Durban duty crew responded to prepare to launch a sea rescue craft and Police Search and Rescue (S&R), Metro Police Search and Rescue (S&R) and Life Healthcare response paramedics were activated and responded.
In an effort to avoid injury to the man the Pilot vessel Lufafa veered away from the ship when the incident occurred allowing the man space to push away from the ship and swim free from the ships draft in an effort to avoid being sucked into the ships propellors.
The Pilot vessel Lufafa went to his rescue and he was recovered onto the Pilot vessel and brought to T Jetty where they were met by Police S&R, Metro Police S&R and Life Healthcare paramedics.
He was treated for mild hypothermia and as a precaution he has been transported to hospital by ambulance in a stable condition for further medical evaluation and medical care and he is expected to fully recover.
The immediate reaction of the skipper and crew of the Pilot vessel Lufafa and the calm and deliberate actions taken by the casualty after he fell into the water contributed to his survival and they are commended.
The incident will be investigated by authorities.
