Search resumes for missing kite surfer Graham Howes off Bloubergstrand
An extensive sea, air and shoreline search continues for missing local kite-boarder Graham Howes, age, 38, from Bloubergstrand
Image: Supplied/NSRI
Rescue teams have resumed their search for a local missing kite surfer, Graham Howes.
Howes, 38, from Bloubergstrand, according to his family, had not returned from an afternoon of kite-boarding offshore of Eden on the Bay, Bloubergstrand, on Sunday.
Camera footage obtained by local security shows Graham, on a blue and black kiteboard, with a white kite sail with red writing, in a black wetsuit in the vicinity offshore of Eden on the Bay at 1pm.
National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, said the Melkbosstrand duty crew had been activated after receiving reports that Howes had gone missing.
"NSRI Melkbosstrand launched the NSRI rescue craft Rotary's Gift to initiate a search while shoreline patrols were conducted," Lambinon explained.
Several other rescue teams have also joined in the search.
Lambinon said Howes is an accomplished kite-boarder.
He added that teams are working with search grids, taking into account weather, wind and sea currents.
"This is being used to indicate the search area to extend out to sea from Eden on the Bay and out to sea in a north-west direction between Bloubergstrand and Robben Island and out to sea beyond Bokpunt and past the vicinity between Yzerfontein and Dassen Island.
"We are appealing to the local community and the fishing, sailing, private and commercial maritime community, in the area between Blouberg Beach and North West along the West Coast towards Dassen Islands and beyond to keep a sharp lookout," he said.
IOL