In what local officials are calling a “miraculous escape,” all 27 crew members aboard one of Elmina’s largest fishing vessels survived after the boat sank off the coast early Monday morning.
The vessel, named Joy George, was the second-largest in Elmina’s fleet and had just departed the town’s bustling fishing harbor when it collided with a sea defense structure near the wharf entrance. According to preliminary findings from the Ghana Maritime Authority, the crash was caused by excessive speed and operator error.
Despite the impact and the vessel’s rapid descent, all crew members managed to swim to safety. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and courage as fishermen clung to floating gear and helped one another reach shore. Minor injuries were reported, but no fatalities—a rare outcome in maritime accidents of this scale.
The wreck was later located near the breakwaters close to Elmina Castle, a historic landmark that now overlooks the site of the incident. A technical team from the Fisheries Commission secured the vessel, and recovery efforts are underway.
Authorities are investigating the incident, focusing on licensing, safety compliance, and the structural integrity of the harbor itself. Local leaders have raised concerns about exposed rocks and sand buildup that may pose ongoing risks to vessels navigating the area.
In a statement, the Ghana Maritime Authority urged the public to rely on verified reports, condemning early rumors that falsely claimed lives had been lost.
For the fishing community of Elmina, the survival of all 27 crew members is being celebrated as nothing short of extraordinary. As one local elder told CNN, “The sea took our boat, but it spared our sons. That is grace.”