Yong-Ji-Li Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On September 27, 2015, the fishing vessel 'Harvest Rising' played a critical role in a large-scale search and rescue (SAR) operation involving the 42-meter trawler 'Lincoln' (IMO: 5062833), operated by the Viking Fishing Group based in Cape Town. The trawler was caught in tumultuous seas, being swamped by high swells that dislodged deck equipment and caused it to take on water, roughly 20 nautical miles south of Hangklip at around 6 p.m. A total of 21 crew members were onboard at the time of the incident. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) launched their lifeboats 'South Star' from Hermanus and 'Spirit of Safmarine III' from Simonstown, while a Lynx helicopter from the 22 Squadron of the South African Air Force was dispatched to provide aerial support, carrying a NSRI search and rescue swimmer. The SAR efforts were further bolstered by a bulk carrier en route from Las Palmas to Durban and several nearby fishing vessels, including 'Fuksia', 'Armana', and 'African Queen'. Upon arriving at the distress location, responders confirmed that all crew members had abandoned the 'Lincoln'. An immediate search commenced, with the cargo vessel and fishing trawlers leading the operation, soon joined by the NSRI lifeboats and the helicopter. Nine survivors were successfully rescued, but sadly, nine bodies were also recovered from the turbulent waters. One of the rescued individuals later succumbed to injuries sustained during the incident. Sea conditions were severe, with swells reaching up to six meters and gusting winds of up to 45 knots from the southeast. As the operation unfolded, conditions slowly improved. The search effort coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) included four fishing vessels actively searching for the missing crew members. Although bodies of two fishermen were located, during retrieval, two slipped out of their lifejackets into the ocean. A continued search was initiated for a third fisherman, but despite extensive efforts, no additional signs of the three missing crew were detected. Radio communications throughout the operation were supported by Telkom Maritime Radio Services. Engineers boarded the 'Lincoln', which was ultimately deemed stable despite sustaining external damage. The vessel was being towed to Cape Town by a sister ship. Bodies were subsequently taken ashore at Hermanus and Simon's Town, while two remained aboard the vessels at sea. The rescued survivors were brought to shore for medical evaluation and were being attended to by paramedics and police trauma counselors. Viking Fishing Group provided support to the families of both the deceased and the missing crew members. By September 29, the SAR operation continued with four fishing vessels engaged in searching the waters 20 nautical miles south of Hangklip. The two I&J fishing vessels and two Viking Fishing Company vessels remained on patrol in the area. The Air Force helicopter had since withdrawn, while efforts to tow the 'Lincoln' towards Table Bay continued.