The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has appealed to the public to identify the body of a man found floating in the surf zone at Lookout Rocks, in the vicinity of Whale Tail, Plettenberg Bay.
The circumstances surrounding the cause of death remain unclear and is the subject of a police investigation.
Plettenberg Bay NSRI station commander, Jaco Kruger, said the duty crew was activated on Tuesday following reports from lifeguards about the body in the water.
“Fishermen angling from the shoreline had reached Bitou shark spotters nearby, reporting witnessing a man floating face down in the water.
"It appears that the man had been witnessed going into the water from the rocks from undetermined circumstances.
“Shark spotters alerted Bitou Municipal lifeguards.
"Lifeguards and Bitou Beach Control responded and on arriving on the scene requested the assistance of NSRI Plettenberg Bay,” said Kruger.
The NSRI duty crew responded to the rescue base where the NSRI rescue craft Ray Farnham Rescuer was launched.
The police and Western Cape Government Health EMS were also activated and responded.
“On arrival on the scene NSRI found Bitou lifeguards in attendance in the surf zone.
"They had secured the body of the man that was then recovered from the water onto the NSRI rescue craft.
"Sadly the man was found to be deceased.
"The body of the man was brought to the NSRI rescue base where EMS paramedics attended and the body of the man was taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services,” said Kruger.
NSRI commended the local anglers that swiftly raised the alarm with Bitou Municipal shark spotters.
Anyone that can help to assist police with the identity of the man and the circumstances surrounding the incident can call Plettenberg Bay Police Station 044 5011900.
Cape Argus