Upon further investigation it was discovered that these ships were in fact German Frigates.
According to Andries Coetzee, NSRI deputy station commander, the German ships were in South African waters to participate in training exercises. They had been conducting ’ship to shore’ missile exercises at a military facility along the Southern coastline. They had a few days’ rest and recreation time, which they had decided to spend in Plettenberg Bay.
Coetzee said that the NSRI crew were out on one of their vessels which had needed to be moved out of dock for maintenance purposes, and they had decided to call on the Germans. They were invited aboard and taken on a tour of the ship.
Following excited reports of the ships from family members who had been out walking, Plett resident and owner of Aberni on Sea, Bernard van den Berg, took some photographs in which the German flag was clear visible.
Young Adam Dugmore, photography enthusiast and learner at Greenwood School, also managed to capture evidence of this exciting event.
Commander Van der Berg of the SA Navy had not been available for comment at the time of going to press. It had been reported that the ships were due in Simons Town by the weekend.
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One of two German Frigates spotted in Plettenberg Bay, as photographed by Adam Dugmore.
