NSRI

Saving Lives. Changing Lives. Creating Futures. Sea Rescue is the charity that saves lives on South African waters. We also have access to a range of helicopters.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is run by over 1 000 highly skilled, unpaid volunteers who are on standby day and night throughout the year. Donations and sponsorships cover our annual running cost of R73.4m. The volunteers save us a salary bill in excess of R250m per annum. We have 31 bases around the coast; 4 are on inland dams, a fleet of 96 rescue craft, 38 rescue vehicles, 16 quad bi

kes and 11 tractors. We enjoy a good working relationship with other emergency services and we believe that it is through team effort that lives are saved. The NSRI education arm, called WaterWise Academy, teaches children what to do in an emergency and gives them the confidence to initiate basic bystander CPR while they wait for the ambulance to arrive. The WaterWise Academy targets disadvantaged youth, because statistically they are the most at risk (South African Medical Research Council, 2006). Our technical experts, our auditors and our board of Directors are also all unpaid volunteers. NSRI has an open book policy and our financial statements are available at State Libraries for your convenience. Articles of Association are available on request.

20/08/2025

NSRI – Durban – Wednesday, 20 August. Police divers (Police Search and Rescue) are continuing in ongoing efforts in search and recovery operations.
https://www.nsri.org.za/2025/08/search-ongoing-following-light-aircraft-accident-offshore-of-durban-north-beach/

20/08/2025

NSRI Rescue Report | A Week of Life-saving Missions: Every week, our volunteer rescue crews respond to emergencies across the country, from coastlines to inland waters. This is a look at some of the rescues, images, and moments that demonstrate their courage, skill, and dedication to saving lives from the past week.

20/08/2025

R1.1 million raised. 14 charities supported. Countless lives impacted 🌊💙

This year’s Oceans 8 Charity Swim was the biggest yet. Swimmers for the NSRI raised over R251 000. From first-timers to 16-mile legends, every stroke told a story of courage and community.

See you in 2026 👀

19/08/2025

Every second counts at sea ⏱🌊

The NSRI, CSIR, and MarCOSIO are training crews and testing technology to boost search and rescue operations along our coast.

Smarter tools. Faster response.

18/08/2025

This Women’s Month, we also proudly celebrate a historic milestone at NSRI Mossel Bay as we recognize our first two female coxswains—trailblazers who have earned their stripes as rescue skippers through unwavering dedication, skill, and leadership. Their achievement not only marks a significant moment for our station but also inspires the next generation of women in maritime rescue. Their presence on the helm is a powerful reminder that courage and capability know no gender, and we are honoured to stand beside them as they lead the way in saving lives on South African waters.

We celebrate the skill, leadership, and strength of these women who take charge on the water.

Whether they’re leading the crew through challenging operations or keeping crews safe from behind the helm of our rescue vessels, these women lead with confidence, clarity, and strive under pressure. They embody what it means to be responsible for others — making fast paced and decisions, reading conditions, and setting the tone for the entire crew.

In roles that demand precision, authority, and trust, our female leaders remind us that excellence has no gender. Today — and every day — we thank them for showing up, stepping up, and guiding the way forward.

17/08/2025

This weekend, NSRI station commanders from around the country came together for our annual conference. The theme was risk and reward, sharing real rescues, best practices, new technology, and looking after the well-being of our crews.

To every Station Commander who gave their time and insight: thank you. Your leadership strengthens Sea Rescue and keeps our crews ready to save lives.

As you travel home, we wish you a safe journey. 🚤❤

16/08/2025

On Friday, 15 August, the NSRI hosted its 58th Annual Awards Evening and AGM at Lagoon Beach Hotel in Cape Town. The evening paid tribute to our dedicated volunteers and courageous individuals who risk their lives to save others on South African waters.
See all of the winners: https://www.nsri.org.za/2025/08/awards25/

15/08/2025

🌊 Celebrating Our Women on the Frontline – Happy Women’s Month! 🌊

At NSRI Station 15 Mossel Bay, we know that rescue operations aren’t just about the boats on the water – they’re also about the incredible team on shore who keep everything running smoothly.

This Women’s Month, we celebrate and honour our phenomenal controllers and admin ladies.

💻 Our Controllers– the calm, steady voices in the radio room. They manage radio communications, capture essential operational data, and ensure that every detail is logged so our crews can respond safely and effectively.

📋 Our Admin Team– the organisational heartbeat of our station. From managing paperwork to handling operational requirements behind the scenes, they make sure the gears keep turning so we can focus on saving lives.

You are more than just support staff – you are an integral part of every rescue, every safe return, and every success story.

💙 To the women of Station 15 – thank you for your dedication, skill, and heart. We are proud to stand alongside you.

15/08/2025

Cliff rescues. Ship extractions. High-angle rope work 💪

Each year, NSRI crews train in Maritime Extrication, one of our toughest and most technical rescue skills.

It saves lives.

14/08/2025

Reports indicate that the fisherman had been clinging onto rocks in the water after being swept off rocks by waves while shoreline angling before then reportedly appearing to lose his grip on the rocks he was swept out to sea and disappeared.
https://www.nsri.org.za/2025/08/a-local-man-is-missing-after-being-swept-off-west-pier-while-shoreline-angling/

13/08/2025

We’re excited to announce the winner of a 65" Smart TV in the NSRI FA Community Shield Giveaway. Congratulations to Matimba Justice Maluleke. A big thank you to everyone else for being part of our competition and for helping us change the score on drowning!

13/08/2025

Thanks to donors and volunteers, Plett is now one of the safest beaches in the world 🌊

New Beach Safety Cameras and shark alarms help NSRI teams act fast and save lives.

“This is proactive life saving,” says Jason Kampel.

11/08/2025

Police Search and Rescue, assisted by Metro Police Search and Rescue, are continuing in an ongoing search for a male teenager that was reported to be missing at Wedge Beach, Durban, on Friday.
https://www.nsri.org.za/2025/08/teenager-missing/

09/08/2025

🇿🇦 Happy National Women's Day from NSRI Station 15 – Mossel Bay 🇿🇦

Today, on National Women’s Day, we proudly celebrate the incredible women who form the heart and backbone of NSRI Station 15.

From rescue crew and shore crew, to controllers, coxswains, trainees, and our dedicated admin team — the women of Station 15 are a testament to strength, skill, and service.

Whether braving the ocean in challenging conditions, coordinating rescues from shore, guiding our teams with leadership and precision, or keeping the station running behind the scenes — their contribution is vital and deeply valued.

Every one of these women brings courage, compassion, and commitment to our mission of saving lives on South African waters. 💪🌊

To our women who serve, lead, learn, and support — thank you for the example you set, the lives you touch, and the inspiration you give.

Happy Women’s Day Ladies. Keep making waves that matter. ❤️

07/08/2025

This Women’s Month, we proudly celebrate the incredible young ladies who volunteer their time, courage, and compassion at the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI). These inspiring women are not only breaking barriers in maritime rescue but also setting a powerful example for the next generation. Whether braving the elements during rescue missions or dedicating hours to training and community education, their strength, resilience, and commitment embody the true spirit of service. Here's to the women making waves—today and every day. 🌊💙

04/08/2025

The women of the NSRI serve with determination, skill and compassion – not to break boundaries, but because they belong here. Women across the organisation, ...

25/07/2025

Our crew are rocking their blue outfits for World Drowning Prevention Day! 🩷

24/07/2025

NSRI Marks World Drowning Prevention Day

Anyone can drown; no one should. Your story can save a life.

On Friday, 25 July 2025, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) will join communities across South Africa and around the world to observe World Drowning Prevention Day, a United Nations and World Health Organisation (WHO) initiative dedicated to awareness, remembrance, and action.

This year’s theme, “Your story can save a life,” is a powerful reminder that drowning prevention is not only about water safety and swimming lessons. It is also about stories. When shared, these stories can change behaviour, influence communities, and save lives.

Each year, drowning claims more than 236,000 lives globally and is one of the top 10 causes of death for children aged 5 to 14.

“This is not just a statistic; it’s a call to action,” says Mike Vonk, NSRI CEO. “World Drowning Prevention Day reminds us that while anyone can drown, no one should.”

With more than 3,000 kilometres of coastline, countless rivers, lakes, and dams, South Africa faces unique water safety challenges. The NSRI, having seen the tragedy of drowning far too often, expanded its mission from emergency response to proactive education and prevention.

Turning experience into prevention.
Since 2006, the NSRI has been transforming lessons from real-life incidents into lifesaving education through initiatives such as:
• Water Safety Education: Reaching more than 5.5 million South Africans with vital skills, including bystander CPR.
• Survival Swimming: teaching children in under-resourced communities how to control their breathing, orient themselves in water, float and swim.
• The Pink Rescue Buoy Project: over 1,800 Pink Buoys have been deployed, directly saving at least 221 lives since its launch in 2017.
• The free NSRI SafeTRX App: helping small craft users log trips, track movements, and alert rescuers in an emergency.

In 2024 alone, the NSRI delivered 877,485 water safety lessons and taught 25,000 survival swimming lessons, empowering communities with knowledge that truly saves lives.

How you can help
This World Drowning Prevention Day, the NSRI urges all South Africans to share their stories, raise awareness, and practice safe behaviour around water.

Here’s how you can make a difference:
• Learn to swim – Equip yourself and your children with basic water survival skills.
• Supervise children – Drowning is silent. Always keep a close watch on children.
• Avoid alcohol near water – Stay alert and in control.
• Check conditions before you swim – Always assess water and weather conditions.
• Use proper safety gear – Lifejackets save lives.

What you can do on 25 July:
• Go Blue for Drowning Prevention – Wear blue on 25 July or host a blue-themed event.
• Share your story – Inspire others by telling how water safety has touched your life. Post on social media using , , and tag .
• Support community efforts – Volunteer, donate, or help spread the word.
Your story can save a life.

25/06/2025

🚁🌊 TEAMWORK IN ACTION – SURF & AIR-SEA RESCUE TRAINING 🌊🚁
This past weekend, our crew from NSRI Station 15 – Mossel Bay joined forces with NSRI Station 23 – Wilderness for an advanced Surf Rescue and Air Sea Rescue (ASR) training exercise alongside the incredible crew from Air Mercy Service (AMS) Emergency Air Ambulance.

Operating under realistic conditions, our volunteers trained in coordinated rescue scenarios using our JetRIBs and our 6.5m Gemini RIB, while working closely with the AMS rescue helicopter to simulate extractions from the surf zone and offshore conditions.

These joint training sessions are critical in sharpening our readiness, improving inter-agency coordination, and ensuring we deliver the fastest, safest, and most effective response possible in real emergencies—by sea and air.

💪 A huge thank you to the AMS helicopter crew, our fellow NSRI volunteers at Wilderness, and everyone who made the day a success. It’s through this kind of shared experience and dedication that we continue to grow stronger as rescue professionals.

📍From the beaches to the skies—NSRI stands ready.

📸Thank You to MS Photography for some of these great pics.

23/06/2025

🌊❄️ SANTOS SEALS WINTER SOLSTICE SWIM – THANK YOU, MOSSEL BAY! ❄️🌊

This past Saturday, on the shortest day of the year, the brave-hearted of Mossel Bay took to the chilly winter waters at Santos Beach for the annual Winter Solstice Swim, hosted by the incredible Santos Seals 🏊‍♂️🏊‍♀️

With no race clock and no pressure—just community spirit, laughter, and a deep love for our ocean—this was a dip to remember! Together, we raised vital funds for the NSRI Mossel Bay (Station 15), and we’re overwhelmed by the generosity and enthusiasm of all who joined in or donated. 💙

📸 One big photo, countless memories, and one powerful message: when our community comes together, we make waves—for safety, for fun, and for good.

23/06/2025

Thank you to Gideon Bediening who donated Bibles to the crew of Station 15. 👏

06/05/2025

Those Southern Africa Sunsets 🌅

Address

Mossel Bay Harbour Off Bland Street
Mossel Bay
6506

Website

http://www.nsri.org.za/

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Our Story

Sea Rescue is a charity staffed by volunteers who are on call, day and night throughout the year. We have rescue bases along the coast and on inland dams. Our goal is to prevent drowning through education, through preventative measures and through rescue. Year after year we update and improve on our skills and techniques and we continuously investigate new technologies.

OUR MISSION:

Our mission is to be the most admired and trusted rescue organisation in South Africa, inspiring volunteers to join and stay, ensuring that funders are proud to be associated with us and building national pride.

We visit schools around the country teaching children about water safety, what to do in an emergency and how to do bystander CPR. We have built an online training academy for our crew and extended this platform to include free courses for the public as well. Other preventative measures include emergency signage, Pink Rescue Buoys for emergency flotation, rescue swimmers, lifeguards and active patrols during peak seasons.