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Nigerian-owned Tug Boat Leo sinks off South Africa; Five Crew Members still Missing
Nigerian-owned Tug Boat Leo sinks off South Africa; Five Crew Members still Missing
By Okeoghene Onoriobe | Waterways News Correspondent | Lagos
A Nigerian-owned tug boat, the Leo, has sunk approximately 80 nautical miles south of Mossel Bay, South Africa, following a distress incident that has left five crew members unaccounted for and one confirmed presumed dead.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Cape Town activated a search and rescue operation after the vessel transmitted a mayday distress call at 19:02 local time on 28 February 2026, reporting uncontrolled flooding and requesting urgent assistance. Cape Town Radio immediately relayed a mayday broadcast to alert nearby vessels to render assistance.
All 18 crew members aboard abandoned ship into four life-rafts before the tug went under in the early hours of 1 March 2026. To date, 13 of those crew members have been accounted for — 12 survivors and one presumed deceased. The search for the remaining five continues.
Two merchant vessels and a local fishing vessel have remained in the vicinity to assist with recovery efforts, while a helicopter has been deployed to provide aerial support across the search area. Adverse weather conditions have hampered operations, though authorities say all available resources are being utilised to locate the missing crew.
South Africa’s Search and Rescue Organisation (SASAR) has activated an Incident Management System to coordinate the ongoing response, aligning MRCC Cape Town, on-scene vessels, and relevant authorities.
SASAR has extended condolences to the family of the deceased and says further updates will be issued as confirmed information becomes available.
The incident raises fresh concerns about the safety of Nigerian maritime assets operating in international waters and the welfare of Nigerian seafarers serving on vessels far from home.
Waterways News will continue to monitor this developing story.