Fishing vessel fire raises alarm over maritime safety for Western Cape crews
The 40-foot vessel owned by Knysna Fishing Company sank on Monday, after a fire broke out while the vessel was at anchor off Paradise Beach in St Francis Bay.
Image: Screenshot
A fishing vessel that caught fire and sank off St Francis Bay on Monday has renewed attention on maritime safety and pollution risks faced by fishing crews operating along South Africa’s coastline, including those based in the Western Cape.
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) confirmed that the 40-foot fishing vessel FV Western Star, owned by Knysna Fishing Company, sank after a fire broke out while it was anchored off Paradise Beach near St Francis Bay.
The incident was reported around midday on February 2. All 11 crew members were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported. The crew are undergoing precautionary medical assessments.
“A navigation warning has been issued due to the presence of the sunken wreck, which poses a hazard to maritime traffic,” SAMSA said in a statement.
At the time of the incident, the vessel was carrying about 2,000 litres of diesel, 25 litres of oil and other lubricants, as well as an estimated 1,200kg of squid stored in blue plastic bags. Authorities are assessing potential environmental risks linked to the fuel and cargo onboard.
“SAMSA, together with relevant authorities, is assessing potential pollution risks,” the authority said. “Steps are underway to develop plans for pollution response and wreck removal if required.”
SAMSA said it has notified all relevant stakeholders and is coordinating the response with the vessel owners and their representatives. A salvage company is being activated to support response operations, and an Incident Management System has been established.
While the St Francis Bay incident ended without loss of life, it echoes the dangers faced by fishing crews operating from Western Cape harbours, where rough seas, mechanical failures and onboard emergencies remain a constant risk.
Last year, the Western Cape High Court declared 11 fishermen missing at sea officially dead after their trawler, MFV Lepanto, sank about 34 nautical miles off Hout Bay. Despite extensive search efforts involving the National Sea Rescue Institute, the men were never found.
In that case, the court heard how surviving crew members managed to send a mayday distress call and inflate a life raft before their vessel capsized, allowing some to be rescued by nearby boats.
Maritime authorities say Monday’s successful evacuation off St Francis Bay underscores the importance of early alerts, emergency preparedness and coordination between crews and rescue agencies — factors that continue to be critical for fishing operations based in and around Cape Town.
SAMSA said investigations into the cause of the fire onboard the FV Western Star are expected to follow once it is safe to proceed.
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