“The Last Post”, “You raise me up” and the national anthem echoed through Hermanus on 19 February during a commemoration service at the Hermanus Old Harbour that was arranged by the South African Sea Cadets-TS Birkenhead.
The date 18 February marked 40 years since the SAS President Kruger was involved in a collision with the fleet replenishment ship, the SAS Tafelberg during exercises in the Atlantic Ocean.
The South African Sea Cadets-TS Birkenhead also took part in this memorial event where survivors shared their experience. According to Chris Lochner, a survivor of that tragedy, it is an honour to live in a town and region where they made a special effort to host a memorial service. “Thanks to Lt Dreyer for his hard work training Naval Cadets,” she said. “I watch them training at Fisherhaven boat club when I take to the waters with the kayak. I attended the service in Simonstown.”
Lieutenant Noel Dreyer, one of the 177 survivors, took those attending back to this event on 18 February 1982, where 16 lives were lost. More about the SAS President Kruger:
The SAS President Kruger was the first of three President-class Type 12 frigates built in the United Kingdom for the South African Navy (SAN) during the 1960s. The ship spent most of her career training and made visits to foreign ports in Africa, Western Europe and the United States. In the late 1960s, she was modernised and equipped to accommodate a helicopter. In the mid-1970s, President Kruger played a minor role in the South African Border War, conducting patrol operations off the Angolan coast. The ship was placed in reserve in 1977, but was recommissioned in 1980. She sank in 1982 with the loss of 16 lives after colliding with her replenishment oiler, SAS Tafelberg, in the South Atlantic. – Source: Wikipedia