From 06h00 on Saturday morning, 20th June, NSRI Durban were dispatched by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) to continue an ongoing search operation for missing 58 year old Mrs Carly Hill, off-shore of Tugela River Mouth.
Telkom Maritime Radio Services are continuing to broadcast an all ships alert and from 06h00 today NSRI Durban dispatched a sea rescue vehicle to continue with the ongoing shoreline search in the area and the sea rescue craft EIKOS RESCUER II and MEGAN II continued searching on search areas and search patterns at sea plotted by MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) and the yacht ORYX joined in the search operation.
It had been confirmed to NSRI yesterday by the distraught husband and skipper, Mr Peter Hill, that all life-jackets were accounted for and remained onboard yacht ORYX and the search operation has focused on sea drift, prevailing currents and wind speed and direction, taking into account that at some time during the morning of Friday, while on routine watch, Mrs Hill fell overboard.
At the time of the incident yesterday all efforts were made by Mr Hill to find his missing wife and to raise the alarm.
Despite an extensive ongoing search operation by midday today there remained no sign of Mrs Hill and Police Search and Rescue have taken over the search operation and NSRI sea rescue craft and NSRI resources have returned to base.
Police have opened a missing persons investigation into the incident and SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) and the British Consulate have been informed.
Yacht ORYX will return to the Port of Durban.
