Fisherman hit by snapped tow line

SIMON’S TOWN Wednesday 25th April, 2012.

The fishing boat Nommer Sewe, reported a fisherman on board had a serious head injury, after being hit on the head by a rope 12 nautical miles South of Simon’s Town at 09h21 this morning.

Darren Zimmerman, NSRI Simon’s Town station commander said that Nommer Sewe was towing another fishing boat, Joanne, towards Simon’s Town when the nylon tow-rope snapped and recoiled. During the recoil 28 year old fisherman Siphelele Matomela, from Saldanha Bay, was reportedly hit on the head by the rope.

Our volunteer sea rescue crew launched Spirit of Safmarine III accompanied by CMR (Cape Medical Response) paramedics and rendezvoused with the casualty 8 nautical miles South of Simon’s Town.

Darren and a CMR paramedic were put aboard Nommer Sewe and stabilized the patient, who had fractured facial bones. The patient’s cervical spine was also immobilised as a precaution.

The decision was taken to keep the patient on board Nommer Sewe rather than risk transferring the patient onto the sea rescue boat in the 2.5 meter swell. Our sea rescue boat then took over the tow of the fishing boat Joanne and all vessels headed to Simon’s Town.

Once in the harbour the patient was transferred into a CMR ambulance and transported to hospital in a stable condition.

- NSRI