20 crew members of the vessel (MVF Armana) were rescued, from a vessel on fire, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The rescued crew members are confirmed unharmed, and are on their way back to Cape Town aboard the MFV Ludwani (another vessel).

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) confirmed on Sunday evening, that the 62-year-old MVF Armana caught fire.

In a statement, SAMSA said the fire onboard, was first seen around 60 nautical miles offshore from Gansbaai, in the early hours of Sunday, 13 October 2024.

“Initial indications were that the vessel was sinking but subsequent information received by Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) located at the SAMSA Centre for Sea Watch and Response in Cape Town indicated that the 20 crew members had to abandon the fishing vessel due to a fire on board” SAMSA said.

The families of the rescued crew were informed.

The MFV Armana is currently adrift 57 nautical miles south of Gansbaai, and being monitored by the MFV Harvest Saldanha. 

SAMSA said it instructed the owner to secure the services of a tug to tow the stricken vessel to a safe place of refuge and to appoint a salvor.

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