Three South African navy personnel die after being swept off submarine deck

Three South African navy personnel have died and a senior officer is in a critical condition after seven members of a submarine crew were swept off the vessel’s deck by large waves (Halden Krog/AP)

Three South African navy personnel have died and a senior officer is in a critical condition after seven members of a submarine crew were swept off the vessel’s deck by large waves as a helicopter attempted a “vertical transfer” of supplies, the Department of Defence said on Thursday.

The accident happened on Wednesday as an Air Force Lynx helicopter was attempting what is known as a “vertrep” – or vertical replenishment – of supplies to the SAS Manthatisi submarine on the ocean surface off the coast of Cape Town, the department said.