Sixty-two seafarers - most of whom are South Africans - had a lucky escape after abandoning their fishing vessel, Geo Searcher, in the South Atlantic about 2,500 km from Cape Town, South Africa. The South African research vessel, Agulhas Ⅱ, was able to get to Gough Island to rescue them. According to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), Belize-flagged Geo Searcher was within 1.6 km of Gough Island when the vessel experienced problems and took on water after it reportedly collided with underwater rocks. "The seafarers managed to climb into lifeboats and other onboard small craft before making their way from the northern point of the island around to the southern region close to the South African research station. South Africa has a research station on the 91 km2 South Atlantic island, which is about 2,500 km from Cape Town. They were assisted ashore and are all reported to be accounted for. It has been reported that one seafarer sustained some minor injuries," SAMSA said in a statement.
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