The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) issued a stern warning to explorers and hikers to steer clear of the BOS 400 crane barge wreck at Maori Bay, south of Sandy Bay in Cape Town. On Sunday, two hikers were badly injured when they jumped off the ship wreck and got into trouble.
The area is off limits to the public due to hazardous conditions where the ship is wrecked and the deteriorated condition of the structure.
According to NSRI, on Sunday at midday NSRI Bakoven and NSRI Hout Bay duty crews were activated following reports of persons injured at the BOS 400 crane barge shipwreck.
“On arrival on the scene a group of people were observed on the shore on rocks above the wreck. An NSRI rescue swimmer was deployed into the water and he swam ashore where it was determined that 2 University students, aged 21 and 23, were injured after they had reportedly jumped off the crane of the BOS 400 wreck.
“They were in the care of their fellow hikers including a student nurse, first aiders and an off-duty NSRI Witsand crewman. Both patients were treated for serious injuries, including lacerations, abrasions and hypothermia,” NSRI confirmed in a statement.
Emergency services and additional rescue swimmers were deployed to assist – and both patients were moved to the shore to the rescue boat, then immediately helped by waiting paramedics.
They declined transport via ambulance and made their way to a hospital themselves for medical care. Luckily, no one was hospitalised.
“It was determined that a group of hikers, believed to be mostly young students, had planned a hike where some had reportedly believed that the hike would include swimming at Sandy Bay. When they arrived at the BOS 400 crane barge wreck it appears that it became evident that some in the group may have prearranged to climb aboard the wreck to jump off the wreck.
“Despite some in the group reportedly appealing to those who were planning this adventure not to climb aboard the wreck 2 young men climbed onto the wreck and jumped into the water from the crane,” said NSRI.
When it became evident they were in trouble an NSRI Pink Rescue Buoy, stationed on the rocks above Maori Bay, was thrown to the 2 young men for help.
“The NSRI Witsand member, who was there amongst the hikers, deployed into the water and he assisted in a rescue, together with other hikers from the group, to get the 2 casualties out of the water where a student nurse, 2 qualified first aiders, who were in the group, the NSRI volunteer, and other hikers in the group, assisted the casualties until NSRI arrived on the scene.”
The concern is that the crane barge wreck is at an advanced stage of deterioration with rusted steel on the wreck threatening to collapse and rusted steel that has fallen off the wreck and submerged in the water around the wreck making the wreck and the surrounding water unsafe.
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