A 74-year-old hiker trapped in the remote and not-to-be-reckoned-with Elands River Mouth was rescued against every odd that made for one of the most trying and rewarding rescues.

Eastern Cape, South Africa (28 May 2025) — Against every odd, a 74-year-old senior hiker made it out of a remote gorge in the Eastern Cape thanks to a team who took a risk to save a life.

Last month, the senior hiker had taken a fall upstream of the Elands River Mouth, Grootkrans. She had fallen and injured herself hours before she could get in touch with help. However, this would be no ordinary rescue.

When NSRI Station Commander Lodewyk Van Rensburg got the call, he immediately knew it would be tough. Getting to the Elands River Mouth is its own mission, given the limited access by road. Once you do manage to get there, you’re met with a gorge boasting steep and sharp cliffs, not to mention a surf even the most ambitious water warriors avoid. Winds are also tough, and on a bad day, fog sets stubbornly, as was the case on the day of the rescue. Not to mention, nighttime was nearing.

All of these factors betted against the hiker’s survival, and all were present the day she needed help. However, the NSRI Oyster Bay team braved it all to pull off the unthinkable, bringing her home.

According to Lodewyk, winds were blowing at 30 knots while the sea climbed to 4 metres. No helicopter support was avaliable to the rescuers, so all they could rely on was their rescue craft and their courage.

“Luckily, we caught water going in,” Lodewyk shares of how the rescuers manager to get into the gorge via crossing a sandbank.

In the gorge, the team located the fallen hiker and had to swim her toward the rescue vessel using a backboard. This, because no paramedics could accompany the rescue team given the tough terrain that was decided not to be conducive for carrying gear.

Just when things were looking up, a new issue arose that made exiting its own challenge, the boat had gotten stuck on the sandbank, prohibiting a swift goodbye to the gorge.

“We stood there for 15 minutes. I asked the crew how they felt, and they said, ‘It’s now’, recalls Lodewyk. The team timed their run between wave swells to catch the right wave and get out. “The second wave broke underneath the boat. We only just made it.”

Hope was finally tangible again as the vessel made its way 12 nautical miles to shore.

At around 9pm, the rescue of a lifetime came to its end. With landing lights set up by Ian Gray of the NSRI’s Regional Operations Support Committee, light quite literally shone at the end of the tunnel.

The hiker was suspected to have spinal injuries and hints of hypothermia. However, her chances of survival were hugely influenced by the work of the brave people who risked their own safety that day.

“To be quite honest, I think the risk that we took was very high,” Lodewyk said of heading out into the gorge. “But when the doctor told us that if we hadn’t taken her out that night, she may not have made it — it kind of changed the whole perspective.”

This rescue is considered one of the most demanding rescue operations in recent times for NSRI Station 36 Oyster Bay. But, it should also be considered one of their proudest!

Sources: NSRI 

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It was all hands on deck as sea rescue teams and compassionate members of the community rallied to the aid of TEARS Animals Rescue when Cape Town’s severe storm hit the animal shelter hard this week, threatening the well-being of vulnerable cats and dogs.

Cape Town, South Africa (22 May 2025) – Nobody ever expects disaster to strike. We just hope that in the unfortunate event that it does, we can withstand the storm and emerge safely on the other side.

The TEARS Animal Rescue experienced its unexpected blow this past Tuesday when Cape Town’s heavy rains caused serious flooding at the animal shelter’s offices, kennels and cattery; a devastating disaster for both the dedicated volunteers and the defenceless animals in their care.

Out of concern and desperation following the failure of the facility’s drainage system, TEARS reached out for urgent help across its channels. It wasn’t long after sounding the alarm that the community, together with members of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), jumped on board to assist with immediate cleanup and removal of water from the site.

“Thanks to the fast action and support of our community, we were able to prevent a disaster,” TEARS said in relief.

The animal shelter extended its heartfelt gratitude to members of the NSRI’s Simon’s Town, Hout Bay and Kommetjie stations for their swift response and their incredible support in helping pump the floodwater from TEARS’ kennels.

“It made all the difference. We are so deeply grateful for your kindness and quick response.”

Moved by the greater community’s compassionate response to their call, TEARS further thanked everyone who assisted with donations, shared their call for help, or sent messages of care and encouragement on social media.

“Thank you. Your compassion and generosity continue to carry us through challenges like this one.”

Good Things Guy salutes every member who played a part in the disaster relief efforts. While the cleanup continues and the damage is still being assessed, each and every member of the TEARS family is moving forward with newfound strength and hope, knowing they have a caring community behind them.

 

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A post shared by TEARS Animal Rescue (@tearsanimalrescue)

Sources: TEARS Animal Rescue

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When a water safety instructor learned that a primary school was left out of a survival swimming programme, she set the ball in motion to ensure they get access to a pop-up survival swimming day, providing 90 pupils with the experience and skills to navigate the water with newfound confidence.

Western Cape, South Africa (14 May 2025) – Every child deserves the opportunity to learn how to swim and gain water confidence. That is why when the learners of N’duli Primary couldn’t participate in the NSRI’s Water Safety programme, Instructor Eoudia stood up and made a difference.

While hundreds of children benefited from the weekly lessons in local municipal pools, one school, N’duli Primary, unfortunately, could not participate this season as the programme was already at full capacity.

However, Eoudia reached out to the school’s principal, Fezeka Lethunya and together, they arranged a once-off pop-up Survival Swimming Day for 90 students, an initiative that turned into something truly special, NSRI affirms.

“The ‘Pop-Up’ was not only a huge success – it was a fantastic experience for all of us!” said Eoudia.

While transport posed a significant challenge, before the children could even get to the pool, parents covered the costs themselves so that their children could take part.

Many of the kids had also never been in a swimming pool before, highlighting the great need for the programme.

“Another challenge was not only the children’s fear of water but also trusting the instructors who helped them in the pool,” Eoudia said.

However, with time, patience, and an abundance of encouragement, the children began to thrive.

“Some children refused to let go of the pool’s edge at first. Through reassurance from teachers, instructors, and even their peers, they slowly gained confidence. By the end of the lesson, they were floating on their own, with huge smiles on their faces!”

For Eoudia, breaking down barriers so that every child has the chance to develop life-saving skills, resilience, and a lifelong appreciation for water safety lies at the heart of what she does.

She thanked the Witzenberg Municipality for the use of the pool and the lifeguards who ensured the day ran safely.

Looking ahead, there’s hope that N’duli Primary will be part of the regular programme next season and that sustainable transport solutions can be found.

Sources: National Sea Rescue Institute

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Gqeberha and St Francis have both welcomed new rescue boats to their NSRI fleets, and a station revamp was unveiled in St Francis.

South Africa (06 May 2025) – It’s been a landmark season for the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), as two major coastal communities, Gqeberha and St Francis Bay, welcomed powerful new vessels and upgraded facilities that will take lifesaving to the next level.

This incredible feat comes down to the support of the community, corporates, volunteers and rescue personnel.

The NSRI is committed to drowning prevention and focused on saving lives, changing lives and creating futures for those threatened by drowning in South Africa. They strive to innovate, constantly evolve, and extend water safety initiatives through empowerment and visibility.

Welcoming new vessels to the fleet is a major step towards evolving the rescue service. It gives teams greater access to life-saving equipment needed to combat the rough seas, save people on larger ships off-shore and get rescue swimmers out to people who need them. At the heart of it all is a blend of volunteer grit and world-class technology.

Gqeberha’s Bay Guardian, A Vessel Built for the Big Stuff

Station 6 in Gqeberha welcomed Bay Guardian, a 14.8-metre French-designed, locally-built rescue vessel capable of going 50 nautical miles offshore, making it the perfect vessel for deep sea rescues.

With room for 23 survivors and shock-mitigating seats for a six-person crew, this offshore rescue craft (ORC) is designed for extreme conditions. Since arriving in September 2024, she’s already notched up 49 training hours, 15 missions, and 14 lives assisted, including eight urgent medical evacuations.

But Bay Guardian carries more than just gear. Through the NSRI’s Celebrate a Life campaign, 739 names are etched into her side as a heartfelt tribute to loved ones and a fundraiser that brought in over R700,000 toward her build. Every launch is powered not just by horsepower but by legacy and love.

NSRI CEO Mike Vonk put it best: “Each name represents a story, a source of inspiration. Every time Bay Guardian launches, she carries those legacies and brings people safely home.”

“The blessing of Bay Guardian is about bringing together and recognising two core aspects of the NSRI: our volunteers, and the community we are here to serve. Our volunteers are at the very core of the NSRI — they set out in the most austere conditions to rescue people and animals. But they don’t exist in isolation. It’s the support of our community that makes their work possible.” – Mike Vonk, NSRI CEO

St Francis Bay: Next-Level Rescue Base, Two New Boats

Just down the coast in St Francis Bay, Station 21 has also entered a new era with the unveiling of a fully rebuilt station and two high-performance rescue vessels: Spirit of St Francis III and Spirit of ScottSam.

The upgraded base now includes an engineering marvel, a sealed boat lift system that elevates rescue craft into a protective boathouse, safe from sea spray and corrosion. It’s a first for the base and a major leap in durability and readiness.

“For many years, ensuring the safe storage of our rescue boats in this harbour has been challenging due to their direct exposure to the ocean,” said Graeme Harding, Head of NSRI Fleet and Facilities. “With the new station and entirely re-engineered lifting system, our vessels are now elevated into a sealed boathouse, fully shielded from the sea below — a first for this base.”

The 10.6-metre Spirit of St Francis III, fitted with twin 250hp engines, is tailor-made for tough offshore rescues. Meanwhile, Spirit of ScottSam, a JetRIB powered by a water jet, is optimised for inshore and surf rescues where swimmer safety is paramount.

“The Spirit of St Francis III is exceptionally well-suited to our region. Her speed, range, and protection enable us to respond more swiftly and safely in challenging sea conditions,” said Sara Jane Smith, NSRI Station Commander for St Francis Bay.

“The JetRIB has revolutionised inshore and surf rescue,” Smith added. “Its stability, manoeuvrability, and jet-drive design make it perfect for the dynamic and often unpredictable surf conditions we encounter here.”

And it’s not just the boats that got an upgrade. The new station now includes a crew training area, medical room, kitchen, and showers, all within the boathouse itself, making operations faster and more cohesive.

A Commitment to Community

These developments are part of the NSRI’s long-term fleet and facility upgrade strategy, ensuring that its all-weather search and rescue teams are equipped with the best tools to meet any emergency all the way from Richards Bay to Mykonos.

But it’s more than just technological advancement; there is a very real human side to the story: volunteers who train relentlessly, donors who give generously, and communities who rally together to make sure no one faces the sea alone.

As the NSRI continues to build forward, with more boats on the way for Hout Bay and Mykonos (in Langebaan), it’s clear that South Africa’s coastlines are safer, stronger, and more connected than ever.

You can find out more about the NSRI and how to support this vital work via the website here.

Sources: NSRI

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When two fishermen found themselves stranded in dense fog due to a sudden engine failure of their boat, the swift help of a Lamberts Bay rescue team quickly got them safely back to shore.

Lamberts Bay, South Africa (29 April 2025) – Two fishermen breathed a collective sigh of relief when a lifesaving crew of the NSRI Lamberts Bay responded to their call for help after their small fishing boat unexpectedly broke down in dense fog near Twee Klip.

The two men were immediately put to anchor after experiencing a motor mechanical failure that left them stranded in unsafe conditions. Despite the challenging conditions of thick fog, the fishermen’s clear communication of their location proved crucial.

Various NSRI stations and the police were placed on alert while the NSRI Lamberts Bay rescue craft Spirit of Saldanha was launched to find and rescue the men.

The rescue craft arrived at the location given by the two fishermen and were immediately found – much to their relief and joy.

“As we reached the area we could hear them shouting towards us – they had heard our motors and through the fog we found them waving towards us.

“Both men, emotional and grateful for being found, assisted us to establish a towline and we towed them safely to Lamberts Bay Harbour without incident,” NSRI said.

Once safely ashore, they required no further assistance and could return safely to their loved ones to enjoy the long weekend.

The NSRI praises the fishermen for alerting rescue crews to their situation and for remaining at anchor instead of moving – a decision that helped ensure they were found safe.

Sources: National Sea Rescue Institute

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Being a lifeguard is one of those jobs that can be considered a calling, and this is especially true for Channah van Coller, who immediately grabbed her fins and a rescue buoy to reach a struggling UK swimmer in a relentless current at Wilderness Beach.

Wilderness, South Africa (23 April 2025) – Channah van Coller’s dedicated training and a profound passion for safeguarding lives shone bright when a UK visitor, Darren Sutton, found himself caught in a rip current at Wilderness Beach and was dragged over 100 metres out to sea despite being an experienced swimmer.

It was Darren’s wife, Linda, who first noticed something was amiss and alerted the lifeguards, who were about to start their duty, National Sea Rescue Institute reports.

Channah immediately grabbed her fins and an NSRI rescue torpedo buoy and launched into the surf. Reaching Darren in the powerful current, she secured him and began the difficult swim back toward the beach. With the assistance of lifeguard squad leader Josh Scholtz, Channah battled for over twenty minutes in challenging conditions before returning Darren safely to shore.

For this true display of bravery that saved a life, Channah was honoured for her rescue and presented with the NSRI Chief Executive Officer’s Letter of Appreciation by NSRI CEO Mike Vonk during a ceremony held in her honour at the NSRI Wilderness Sea Rescue base on Wednesday, 16 April.

Vonk, who presented the award, praised Channah’s composure under pressure and lifesaving abilities, saying:

“Channah’s decisive action, physical endurance, and commitment to assisting others embody the spirit of service that defines the NSRI.”

In her remarks, Channah credited NSRI Lifeguard Manager Mike Wood for his role in preparing her for moments like these:

“His training is intense and gruelling; yet you walk away feeling empowered and capable of achieving more than you ever thought possible.”

Sources: National Sea Rescue Institute 

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When one bodyboarding Kowie Granny Grommet’s morning adventures led her into a rip current, a man who attempted to rescue her soon found himself being pulled out to sea with her. Luckily for both the Granny Grommets, help in the nick of time was on their 2025 bingo cards.

Port Alfred, South Africa (15 April 2025) — A Friday morning dip and dive at Port Alfred’s East Beach quickly turned into something more dire after two Kowie Granny Grommets found themselves caught up in a rip current.

It’s believed that the female Kowie Granny Grommet (the Granny Grommets are a fun-loving community in which more mature folk partake in surfing activities), had ended up in the rip current first while she was bodyboarding. As for the 67-year-old man who was pulled out to sea alongside her, well, he’d initially gone out with good intentions to rescue his bodyboarding pal (something you should never do without a pink rescue buoy handy or without experience).

At around 9 am that morning, eyewitnesses became concerned that there was a drowning in progress, leading a fellow Granny Grommet to alert the NSRI Port Alfred and its corresponding duty crew to help.

The NSRI’s station 11 rescue base quickly fell into form and immediately launched their rescue craft, Rescue Alpha, whilst rescue swimmers made their way to East Beach with haste.

In mere minutes, the rescue swimmers were ready to assist, and could see the pair caught up in the surf zone as the rip currents pulled them out to sea.

Acting quickly, the NSRI crew pulled both parties out of their plight in record speed, bringing them back to shore to medically assess them.

While everyone breathed a big sigh of relief to see the duo find their land legs again, the NSRI made sure to let the larger group of Grommets know that they were actually at a part of the beach where rip currents are prevalent. The Grommets group made a small move to a safer spot and continued their activities.

Life Hacks: Handling a Rip Current

As shared by the NSRI:

• The first thing to do is to understand if you’re actually in the presence of a rip current.
• These currents are often a different colour to the surrounding sea, and tend to have choppy waters in their channels.
• If you’ve found yourself caught up, don’t desperately race against the current no matter how much of a Chad Le Clos you think you are. Either swim slowly or let the current carry you past the breakers. The good news? The current won’t pull you under its grasp if you’re able to keep yourself afloat.
• Remember, life is like a river, and that sentiment holds a lot of weight if you’re ever in a rip current:

“Take note from looking at the beach of the direction that the current is pulling you, think of it like a river and remember to get out of a river you would swim to the river bank. This means that in a rip current you should swim at 90 degrees to the direction that you are being pulled and then use the waves to help you get back to the beach.”—NSRI.

• Wave for help so that lifeguards can see you’re in trouble.

Helping Someone Else

• If you see someone struggling and there are no professional helpers nearby, look out for the NSRI Pink Rescue Buoy, or something that can float. In some cases, these can float out to the struggle area.
• Still, getting help from a lifeguard or calling the NSRI is always a safer bet.
• Pro tip: The Pink Rescue Buoy signs have emergency numbers on them for you to call for help!
• Extra pro tip: Once again, don’t attempt any Olympic swimmer stunts in trying to rescue someone else if you have no training or a Pink Rescue Buoy at hand. This could mean two people in danger and one less to call for help if you venture in untrained.

Sources: NSRI; GTG

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A group of small-scale fishers in Hout Bay came together for a transformative workshop where many discovered how to float, swim and gain essential first-aid knowledge for the very first time!

Hout Bay, South Africa (11 April 2025) – Despite depending on the ocean as a means to their livelihood, many fisherfolk haven’t been equipped with key water safety or survival swimming skills.

Looking to address this, a group of 38 small-scale fishers (SSFs) were recently brought together to engage in a workshop focusing on their needs, water safety and sustainability.

Spearheaded by the NSRI and supported by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, The Fisherfolk Community Project Workshop in Hout Bay aimed to address the needs of these fishers.

The four days unfolded with a spirit of eager participation, from learning crucial water safety and survival swimming – a revelation for many who discovered the true meaning of floating – to gaining essential first aid knowledge.

The group was diverse, with ages ranging from 25 to 71 years and 62% male participants. Notably, 64% had been fishing for over five years, and an impressive 88% identified as the primary breadwinners in their families.

One of the most eye-opening findings was that 33% of participants shared that they did not know how to swim, whereas 13% indicated uncertainty – highlighting the vital need for ongoing safety training and support for this community.

Caville Abrahams, NSRI Drowning Prevention Regional Coordinator, reflected on some of the biggest challenges the fishers faced during Survival Swimming training.

“Some of the fisherfolk believed they could swim, but in reality, they could only perform a doggy paddle, which quickly exhausted them and prevented them from floating. We had to break down what they previously knew and teach them proper swimming and survival skills.”

A standout moment from the workshop was seeing the joy on the participants’ faces when they realised they could float – some for the very first time. Even elderly participants embraced the experience, proving it’s never too late to learn a lifesaving skill!

This initiative stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and the impact of investing in the safety and well-being of those who depend on the ocean.

The NSRI extended heartfelt thanks to the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, the DFFE, and Oceana for making the project possible.

Sources: NSRI

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Volunteers Marc de Vos and Marilyn Wells developed computer models that help the National Sea Rescue Institute save lives.

Western Cape, South Africa (09 April 2025) — The beating heart of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is its volunteers. These people offer their time, effort, skills and bravery to bring people facing struggles at sea home. Some volunteers go above and beyond for the NSRI, like volunteers Marc de Vos and Marilyn Wells. De Vos and Wells have not only served in leadership positions, but they have also developed computer models that help the team on the shore save lives.

Narrowing Down the Search

Marc de Vos is a former Station Commander and Class 1 Coxswain at Table Bay’s Station 3. But he’s also a marine weather scientist. With these two worlds of experience, Marc used knowledge from his profession alongside an informed opinion of what rescue operations need to create a helpful computer model designed to speed up search times.

Marc’s model, ‘SARMarc’ helps calculate the drift paths of missing people and vessels (the direction in which a person/vessel is heading taking into account currents and wind).

Thanks to the program’s search pattern abilities, the NSRI is able to cut down on search time and allocate resources to rescues far better, ultimately making the process of saving lives that much smoother.

Like Marc, Marilyn also contributed to how the NSRI tracks people and vessels at sea in a big way. Thanks to her background in software development and teaching as well as her role as Deputy Station Commander (Station 26, Kommetjie), Marilyn knew that calculating drift predictions needed to be done more accurately, faster and with flexibility.

Marilyn developed a model dubbed ‘SearchWell’ to predict where a casualty might end up based on its understood starting point. The model can then transfer these prediction coordinates to GPS systems on boats and in aircraft, with the ability to quickly recalculate should new information come into play.

While SARMarc used weather patterns and oceanography-driven information to estimate drift paths, SearchWell streamlines these estimations through formulas that allow for real-time navigation!

SARMarc and SearchWell can work together, as was the case recently when the case of a missing Spanish diver saw the NSRI use both computer models.

“The integration of SARMarc and SearchWell models has revolutionised the efficiency and accuracy of NSRI rescue operations,” Charl Maritz, NSRI’s Operations Manager, praised.

Sources: NSRI 

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It’s school holidays and that means one last summer soak in the sunshine before winter sets in; the NSRI have warned that spring tide sets in as the holidays start this weekend.

South Africa (28 March 2025) – While parts of South Africa are grey, wet and dreary, school holidaymakers are likely soaking in the last of the summer beachtime before the beaches get grey, wet and dreary. In the excitement of getting that last touch of sun, the NSRI just wants the public to know there is a Spring Tide during the holiday break.

The team have shared a detailed public awareness notice that shares what to expect during the spring tide as well as other helpful tips to keep in mind while enjoying the beach. This natural phenomenon occurs twice a month when the sun, moon, and Earth align, amplifying the gravitational pull on Earth’s oceans.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) urges holidaymakers and visitors to the coast to exercise caution as the upcoming new moon spring tide is set to peak on Saturday and Sunday, 29 and 30 March 2025.  This month, the spring tide coincides with the start of the school holidays, significantly impacting tidal conditions, especially around high tide in the late afternoon during the first days of the school holidays.

What to Expect During a Spring Tide:

1. Higher High Tides: Water levels will rise significantly, reaching further up the shoreline.
2. Lower Low Tides: More of the seabed will be exposed as water levels dip below average.
3. Increased Tidal Range: The difference between high and low tide levels will be at its maximum.

Impacts and Hazards of a New Moon Spring Tide:

Spring tides can result in stronger tidal currents, particularly in narrow inlets.

This natural phenomenon presents potential dangers:

• Rip Currents: Stronger tidal flows intensify rip currents, posing a risk to swimmers.
• Coastal Hiking Hazards: Some hiking trails near the coast may become inaccessible or hazardous during high tide in the afternoon.
• Fishing Precautions: Shoreline anglers should exercise extra caution, as higher waves may reach beyond usual safe zones.

Safety Measures to Follow:

To ensure your safety while enjoying coastal activities, the NSRI recommends the following precautions:

Beach and Swimming Safety

• Swim at lifeguard-protected beaches: Go into the water between lifeguard flags to avoid rip currents.
• Be aware of rip currents. Rip currents can be particularly strong during spring tides, especially during outgoing tides, which will occur in the late afternoon.
• Stay informed: Check daily weather forecasts from the South African Weather Service (SAWS) and consult tide timetables.

Coastal Activities

Not only are beachgoers at risk, but other coastal activities may be affected too. Whether hiking or fishing, boating or paddling, be aware of your surroundings and any changes in the water levels at bridge crossings or coastal river outlets.

• Hiking: Plan your hikes carefully, avoiding trails that may be cut off during high tide in the late afternoon.
• Fishing: Shoreline anglers should maintain a safe distance from the water. When fishing from rocks or cliffs, they should wear a life jacket and carry flotation equipment (for example, a red torpedo buoy or a 5L plastic container with a rope attached) that can be thrown to someone in the water.
• Boating and paddling: Always wear life jackets, carry essential safety equipment, and keep your cell phone fully charged in a waterproof pouch. The free NSRI SafeTrx smartphone app allows you to log your trip and call the NSRI for help quickly and easily.

General Water Safety

• Alcohol and water do not mix: Drinking alcohol before doing an activity in or near water puts your life at risk.
• Supervise children: Drowning is silent. Children should always be supervised by adults when in or near water.

Additional Precautions

• Time your activities: Be cautious during tide changes, especially when high tide recedes to low tide (in the late afternoon) for beach visitors and on the incoming tide (in the early afternoon) for rock anglers and hikers.
• Stay informed: Follow local safety alerts and warnings issued by authorities.
• Save the NSRI’s emergency number 087 094 9774 on your cell phone.

Enjoy Coastal Activities Responsibly:

The effects of spring tides will last several days before and after Saturday, March 29. By adhering to these safety measures, you will minimise risks and responsibly enjoy the ocean’s natural beauty.

For further updates, please visit our website www.nsri.org.za.

Sources: NSRI – Supplied

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