Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Grand-Hero

In a harrowing incident off the coast of South Africa, the AHTS vessel 'Leo' (IMO: 9007142) sank on March 1, 2026, approximately 80 nautical miles from the Western Cape, leading to a dramatic rescue operation. The vessel, which had 18 crew members onboard, encountered difficulties around 18 nautical miles offshore amidst stormy seas while heading back to Lagos after departing from Durban on February 25. The ornate distress call, made at 5:02 p.m. on February 28, triggered urgent Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts coordinated by the South African Search and Rescue (SASAR) team. The 'Grand Hero', en route from Gothenburg to Port Elizabeth, successfully rescued three members of the stricken crew, while the container ship 'Maersk Karachi' (IMO: 9162215), sailing from Navegantes to Singapore, took nine more survivors onboard. The crew of 'Leo' was forced to abandon ship using four life rafts before the vessel succumbed to the tumultuous waves. Local fishing vessel 'Boronia' played a crucial role in the SAR efforts under challenging weather conditions, retrieving one deceased crew member from the waters. The surviving crew members were transported to Port Elizabeth, where they were met by representatives from the Nigeria High Commission following medical assessments and support. As of March 2, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) ceased SAR operations at sunset, with 12 crew members safely accounted for, while formal identification procedures for the deceased are underway with relevant authorities. Sadly, five crew members remain missing in the search. Throughout the rescue mission, a variety of vessels and aerial support were deployed under the supervision of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Cape Town. A navigation warning is currently in effect to alert mariners of potential debris, the last known position of 'Leo', and the existence of unrecovered life rafts. Mariners are requested to report any sightings of debris or evidence of pollution to MRCC Cape Town or Cape Town Radio to aid ongoing safety efforts.