This archive report was first published on 23 July 2019.
On August 13, 2017, a devastating sea vessel capsized off Pate island in Lamu, claiming the lives of 10 members of the same family. Miraculously, six fishermen were rescued by their colleagues in a daring operation.
According to George Okong'o, the director general of the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), the six fishermen were rescued after their boat, the 'Usongo', capsized during a fishing expedition. The wooden dhow was caught in strong waves flowing across the Indian Ocean.
Okong'o commended the efforts of Manda Bay resort, local fishermen, KMA personnel, and marine police for their role in the successful rescue. The rescued fishermen were identified as Hussein Sadi, Ali Jangwa, Ismail Ali, Ali Kesi, Aboud, and Abubakar.
However, the dhow has not been recovered due to the strong tides and bad weather. Omar Shamina, a village headman, stated that the six fishermen are safely resting in Shanga village, but the boat could not be recovered.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by fishermen in the region. In response, KMA has dispatched a team of its top search and rescue personnel to the ocean to prevent such accidents. The team is working closely with marine police to ensure a safe and successful operation.
