Rescued on the Tanzanian side of Lake Malawi after clinging to the capsized boat
* The operator of the two 90-horsepower Yamaha outboard engines Makutuwima Cruise, allegedly commenced the journey despite adverse weather warnings issued by meteorological authorities
* As all four Dutch nationals and crew aboard the Tanzanian-registered speedboat are rescued after the missing vessel was located on the Tanzanian side of the lake
Maravi Express
The Tanzanian-registered speedboat, Makutuwima Cruise — that was reported missing on Lake Malawi on Sunday, and has since been located with all four Dutch nationals and three crew that were aboard rescued — is reported to have flouted serious marine procedures.
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According to a report by Malawi News Agency (MANA), the incident appears to have resulted from poor seamanship, as the boat operator commenced the journey despite weather warnings issued by meteorological authorities.
The boat, that was destined towards Malawi territory, is also reported to have ignored another procedure of notifying the Malawian marine law enforcement.
In confirming news of the missing boat, senior assistant surveyor of vessels in Nkhata Bay, Chikosa Mkandawire, told the media that the Malawian law enforcement were only notified through the boat owner, businessman Andrew Makutuwima Nyirenda, when the boat never reported back of its progress of the journey.
The boat — according to the Ministry of Transport — had on board the four Dutch tourists and, two Malawians and a Tanzanian as three crew members and was as on Sunday, may have developed a mechanical fault.
According to Mkandawire, the boat — powered by two 90-horsepower Yamaha outboard engines — departed Mbamba Bay Port in Tanzania heading for Nkhata Bay and after missing, the boat owner indicated to Nkhata Bay that the vessel left Mbamba between 10h00 and 11h00 on Sunday.
However, the Malawian authorities were not notified of the Makutuwima Cruise’s itinerary but a search and rescued was swiftly executed on the Malawian side in liaison with their counterparts in Tanzania.
Chikosa Mkandawire, confirmed to MANA yesterday that the vessel was located north of Mbamba Bay Port in Tanzania and all the rescued received first aid before being transported back to Mbamba Bay Port for further medical assessment.
“We have received credible reports that all passengers and crew members have been rescued alive,” said Mkandawire. “We commend all stakeholders from both Malawi and Tanzania who participated in the successful search and rescue operation.”
The operation involved various agencies, including the Malawi Police Service, Malawi Defence Force, Department of Marine Services, Civil Aviation Authority of Malawi, and private marine operators.
However, Mkandawire indicated that preliminary findings indicate that the boat developed a mechanical fault after encountering strong winds and rough waters, before eventually capsizing.
He said passengers and crew survived by clinging to the overturned vessel until rescuers arrived.
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Mkandawire added with emphasis that “according to the law, the Port Master in Malawi is supposed to be notified at least 24 hours before departure”, but Makutuwima Cruise “did not”.
MV Njombe that sailed off from Mbamba Bay Port destined for Mangochi two weeks ago without notifying Malawian marine authorities
This development comes two weeks after a Tanzanian-registered cargo vessel, carrying coal destined for Portland Cement in Balaka, was detained in Mangochi when its crew attempted to dock at Monkey Bay having sailed all the way from the Tanzania’s Mbamba Bay Port without seeking clearance by the Malawian marine authorities.
It was later allowed to dock and was released after thorough security inspections by the Malawi Navy, Police, Immigration and other security agencies.—Reporting from Nkhata Bay by Chisomo Kambandanga, MANA; editing by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express
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