The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) reported that all 14 crew members forced to abandon their trawler following an apparent collision with another vessel were safe and accounted for. They were being brought back to shore after a search in conditions that included “dense fog‚ a 2.5-metre sea swell and a 26 knot south-westerly wind”‚ the NSRI said.Its duty crews from Simons Town‚ Kommetjie and Hout Bay “were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority following a mayday distress call from the Viking Fishing Company fishing trawler Lezandi…reporting to be taking water and sinking approximately 10 nautical miles south west of Cape Point”.“A red distress flare was reportedly sighted in the vicinity‚” said the NSRI‚ adding that it was suspected that both life rafts had been deployed and that the casualty fishing trawler had sunk”.At about 2.35am‚ the fishing trawler Freesia “reported locating a life raft and reported to the rescue authorities that all 14 crew had been found and were not injured”. They were “successfully rescued”.“It was later determined that the casualty fishing trawler Lezandi may have collided with the bulk carrier Sunrise Jade in dense fog‚” the NSRI said.The fishing vessel is believed to be drifting semi-submerged and “a maritime navigational warning to warn vessels in the area of the maritime navigational hazard” has been issued. The apparently undamaged Sunrise Jade continued to Saldanha Bay.The South African Maritime Safety Authority will investigate the incident.“The crew aboard the fishing trawler Freesia are commended for their role in the rescue operation‚” the NSRI said...