The second largest fishing vessel in Ghana’s premier fishing hub of Elmina, tragically capsized on Monday afternoon, some few minutes after departing from the Elmina fishing harbour.
All 23 crew members aboard the vessel, Joy George, CR 338 – EL, escaped unscathed due to the timely intervention of a nearby rescue boat.
The financial investment in the boat which was constructed barley six months ago, and its associated logistics, according to the fishermen, was estimated to exceed GHC 500,000.
Many fishers gathered at the harbour and along the rocky sea defence to witness the unfolding tragedy in astonishment.
In separate interviews with the Ghana News Agency, some rescued crew members who pleaded anonymity attributed the mishap to the exposed boulders lurking beneath the route leading to the harbour.
The fishermen explained that, due to the low tide, the bottom of the vessel collided with several boulders that had inadvertently accumulated along the navigational route for boats, and water gashed into it within seconds.
Some crew members drew a parallel between the incident and the infamous sinking of the Titanic, stating, “what transpired is reminiscent of the Titanic disaster; however, our boat struck the boulders, compelling it to halt and capsize within few minutes.”
“There was little we could do to rectify the situation. We are profoundly grateful that we all survived, because not everyone among us could swim that distance to reach the shore.”
According to the fishermen, the incident marked the third time similar boats and canoes capsized within the same vicinity in three years.
A crew member said “our hands which skilfully haul nets, were clenched in despair during the incident.”
Yet, beneath this grief, a flicker remains, a crew member vowed to rise and work again, to brave the waters once more adding: “For the sea is life, though today it is our sorrowful day.”
Madam Ama Mansa, who had been trading with the crew for months rushed to the shore on hearing the news and wept quietly with her eyes searching the dark horizon for a sign, a light, a rescue, but it was too late.
Her thoughts, according to her jumped to the families waiting at shore and at home, hungry, anxious, praying for the safe return of their breadwinners.
The fishermen appealed to the government to undertake dredging of the fishing harbour, as sandbars had formed along the canoe and boat pathways, narrowing it.
Should the harbour remain un-dredged, they said the ramifications could be dire, threatening not only the revenue generated from fishing activities, but also jeopardising numerous jobs and the livelihoods of those reliant on the vital industry.
All attempts to reach the public relations outfit of the harbour was unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, the vessel has been recovered and towed to safety at the brake waters of Elmina Castle by the technical team of the Fisheries Commission.
It is expected to be towed ashore by noon on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
Source: GNA
The post Fishing vessel sinks after hitting underwater boulders, crew members escape appeared first on Ghana Business News.
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