A Gqeberha woman and Africa's first female to work as a qualified submarine navigator, Lieutenant Gillian Malouw, was among the three people who died in the SA Navy submarine disaster just off the coast of Kommetjie on Wednesday.
A family member confirmed her death.
Malouw was born and bred in Schauderville.
According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the incident occurred just before 3pm.
“At 2.47pm, NSRI Kommetjie duty crew were activated after my neighbour called me on the phone reporting what he suspected to be SA Navy personnel washed off an SA Navy vessel offshore of Slangkop Lighthouse,” said Dave Smith, NSRI Kommetjie station commander.
“NSRI Kommetjie duty crew responded to the NSRI Kommetjie rescue station to prepare to launch the NSRI rescue craft while raising the alarm.”
Smith said a few minutes later while preparing to launch the NSRI Kommetjie rescue craft, Spirit of the Vines and IL Batello, a 'man overboard' alert had been sounded from SA Navy vessels offshore of Kommetjie and broadcast by Telkom Maritime Radio Services.
“Three male casualties were rescued onto one NSRI rescue craft and four male casualties were rescued onto one NSRI rescue craft, all seven were SA Navy mariners,” Smith said.
“CPR efforts were initiated on two of the men and once ashore, at the Kommetjie slipway, CPR continued on both men by paramedics who, after all CPR efforts were exhausted, sadly they were both declared deceased.
“One man was airlifted to hospital by a Netcare 911 air ambulance helicopter in the care of paramedics in a critical condition where doctors and nurses are fighting to save his life.
“One SA Navy officer remained on-board the naval vessel and in a co-ordinated operation, during the late afternoon, offshore of Hout Bay, an SA Air Force helicopter deployed NSRI ASR rescue swimmers and EMS rescue paramedics on-board where the adult female was extricated from the vessel and CPR efforts commenced.”
NSRI Hout Bay dispatched an NSRI rescue craft and crew to assist at the Navy vessel.
“Sadly, despite extensive CPR efforts, the female officer was declared deceased. The body of the female was airlifted to the NSRI Hout Bay rescue station.
“The bodies of the three deceased have been taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
“The four remaining crew survivors were lightly injured and did not require hospitalisation.
“Condolences are conveyed to the families of the deceased.”
The NSRI said an investigation would be opened by the SA Navy and maritime authorities.
Police have opened inquest dockets on behalf of the deceased.
“The swift response and co-operation between all services involved is commended.”
HeraldLIVE
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