- Sea Harvest acknowledges the report completed by SAMSA.
- Sea Harvest accepts that given the severity of the incident, the loss of life, and the fact that the Vessel was a South African ship, SAMSA will be recommending that the Minister of Transport establish a Court of Marine Enquiry.
CAPE TOWN: Sea Harvest hereby acknowledges receipt of the MV Lepanto report compiled by SAMSA following the tragic sinking of the MFV Lepanto on 17 May 2024. It has been a very difficult period for the business and the families of the deceased men. As a company, we accept the fact that SAMSA has recommended to the Department of Transport that it should commission a Court of Marine Enquiry. The company also notes that according to the report, given the fact that there is no physical evidence, and the vessel is lying at approximately 350 metres depth, no root cause could be determined for the capsizing and sinking of the vessel.
Sea Harvest Corporation Chief Operating Officer, Konrad Geldenhuys, says, “We remain devastated about the loss of our crew members: Ashwell Thompson, Christian Kleinsmidt, Eusibio Sias, Jeremia Coetzee, Jeremy Minnies, Johan Faro, Johnwill Isaacs, Marshall Titus, Mohammad Fadiel, Wilfred Swiers and William Boukers, and the impact that their passing has had on their loved ones and colleagues. We provided our full cooperation to SAMSA during its preliminary investigation of the incident and have continued to provide support to the affected families and survivors, while respecting their privacy.”
Geldenhuys, adds, “As a company, we will continue to provide our full cooperation where required”