Vessel Review: Leo's Tragic Sinking and Ongoing Search Efforts

The tug 'Leo', which tragically sank approximately 80 nautical miles south of Mossel Bay, South Africa, in the early hours of March 1, 2026, presents a harrowing tale of maritime distress and rescue operations. Initially departing from Durban on February 25, the tug experienced severe flooding and subsequently issued a mayday distress call on February 28 at 5:02 p.m. The situation escalated rapidly as the vessel, unable to control water ingress, forced its 18 crew members to abandon ship into four liferafts shortly before it sank amidst stormy waters characterized by strong winds and high swells.

A major search and rescue (SAR) operation was swiftly initiated by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Cape Town, with the involvement of two merchant vessels — the 'Maersk Karachi' and the 'Grand Hero' — as well as local fishing vessel 'Boronia'. A helicopter was also deployed to support the search efforts under the challenging weather conditions.

As of now, the operation's results have yielded mixed fortunes. While 12 crew members were successfully rescued and taken to Port Elizabeth for medical evaluation and consular assistance, one crew member was tragically confirmed deceased, and five remain missing. The body of the deceased was recovered by the 'Boronia' and brought ashore in Port Elizabeth for identification.

The tugboat 'Leo', previously known as 'GMTS Tracker 01', was returning to West Africa after a period of lay-up in Durban, raising questions about its seaworthiness and safety compliance after months of inactivity. Investigators will be scrutinizing the vessel's maintenance history and operational conditions leading up to the distress call to determine the cause of the flooding. A formal marine casualty investigation is expected to follow once the search operations conclude.

Authorities are also reminding mariners of the potential debris and unrecovered life rafts in the area, encouraging all boaters to report any sightings to MRCC Cape Town. As the situation remains fluid, the maritime community and families of the missing crew members hold onto hope as the search efforts continue amidst this tragic incident.