Three South African Navy crew die after 7 are swept from submarine deck

Three members of the South African navy were killed and a senior officer was in critical condition after seven crew members of a submarine were swept off its deck by large waves when a helicopter attempted a “vertical transfer” of supplies, the South African Navy reported. country. Department of Defense said Thursday.

The accident occurred on Wednesday when an Air Force Lynx helicopter attempted what is known as a “vertrep” (or vertical resupply) of supplies to the submarine SAS Manthatisi on the ocean surface near Kommetjie, off the coast of Cape Town. the department said.

The operation was immediately suspended and rescue efforts began.

All seven submariners were recovered, but three were pronounced dead. A member of the helicopter crew who was sent as a “surface swimmer” to assist in the rescue operation also recovered and is in hospital along with the four surviving submariners.

He The department identified the three victims. such as Lieutenant Commander Gillian Elizabeth Hector, Senior Warrant Officer William Masela Mathipa and Warrant Officer Class One Mmokwapa Lucas Mojela. Multiple South African news reported media that Hector had been the first woman to sail on a military submarine for any African nation.

The National Sea Rescue Institute and other emergency services were called in to help with the rescue, the Defense Department said, adding that the botched operation and resulting deaths would be investigated.

Cape Town and other areas of South Africa’s southern coast have been affected by extremely rough seas since last weekend, caused by a phenomenon known as “spring tide”.

South African military analyst Dean Wingrin told the defenseWeb website that the submarine would move to the Cape Town waterfront for a three-day naval display starting Saturday. The navy has planned the exhibition to mark South Africa’s national Heritage Day holiday on Sunday.

“This is a sad loss for our nation and for our brave armed forces in particular, who routinely face danger so that we can all be safe and secure,” said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. said in a statement. “We wish the injured personnel a full recovery from the physical and psychological trauma they suffered during this tragedy. We also appreciate the efforts of all actors who, at great risk to themselves, undertook the rescue and recovery operation.”

in a Facebook postThe South African National Defense Force said members of the public were bringing flowers in memory of the victims to the chapel inside the Navy Museum in Simon’s Town.

The SAS Manthatisi is one of three German-built Type 209/1400 Heroine-class submarines in the South African Navy’s fleet and had returned to the water earlier this year after undergoing maintenance work.