Leisure boat capsizes off Durban North; one man dies and others injured

Emergency crews responded after a leisure boat carrying six people capsized near Beechwood Golf Club in Durban North on Sunday. The incident happened just after 5:30pm, and left one man dead and several others injured.

Rescue response and casualties

ALS paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said emergency services arrived following numerous calls for medical assistance. “Paramedics arrived to find SA Police Service (Saps), Metro Police Search and Rescue, National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), and multiple security personnel in attendance,” he said.

Jamieson said the scene was initially scattered as some victims were assisted by bystanders and taken ashore. “It is believed the boat had six people on it, with ages ranging from approximately 8 years to around 45 years,” Jamieson said.

He added that a man believed to be in his forties was initially missing and was later found with fatal injuries. “Unfortunately, there was nothing the paramedics could do for him, and he was declared deceased on the scene,” Jamieson said. The remaining occupants sustained various injuries, and some were transported to nearby hospitals for further care.

Investigation underway

The events leading up to the capsize are unknown. Jamieson said Saps were in attendance and will be investigating further.

Related sea rescue operation

The report also described a separate maritime medical evacuation off Gqeberha. NSRI Gqeberha station commander Mark Dawson said their Bay Guardian rescue craft launched with EMS paramedics to assist a bulk carrier reporting a crewman in distress 35 nautical miles south‑west of Cape Recife.

“The Master of the ship manoeuvred to create a lee for our craft to come alongside,” Dawson said. He said two NSRI extrication crews and a paramedic boarded the vessel and found the patient a 59‑year‑old Indian male stable under the ship’s medical care. The patient was transferred to the rescue craft, brought ashore and transported to hospital in a stable condition.

Coordination and agencies involved

Dawson said the operation was coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre and included support from NSRI controllers, Emergency Medical Services, TNPA Port Control, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, and Police Sea Borderline Control.