NSRI

13/10/2025

GEORGE NEWS - A 43-year-old man from...

08/10/2025

Class IV Coxswain tickets! 👏

Our newly qualified coxswains, Mareé and Hannes, received their official SAMSA licenses at our previous crew meeting. Congratulations once again to these incredibly skilled men 🙌🥳

03/10/2025

We’re excited to announce the winners of a 65" Smart TV and Fieldbar Hamper in the NSRI SA vs NZ Rugby Giveaway. Congratulations to you both.☺️ A big thank you to everyone else for being part of our competition and for helping us change the score on drowning!

02/10/2025

September’s Photo of the Month, by Geoffrey Garrett Jr., captures the dedication of our rescue teams in action. Every image tells a story of teamwork. 📸 Got a great photo of NSRI people in action? Send it to news@searescue.org.za with Monthly Photo in the subject line, and you could win a R250 NSRI shop voucher. Photos should be over 2MB.

29/09/2025

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.

29/09/2025

NSRI lifeguards, who happened to be at Victoria Bay at the time, conducting pre-Summer season lifeguard training, had been alerted by eye-witnesses reporting a lady appearing to be in distress in shallow surf near to the shoreline.
https://www.nsri.org.za/2025/09/tragic-drowning-at-victoria-bay-condolences-to-family-and-friends/

28/09/2025

Police divers (WPDS - Water Policing and Diving Services) are continuing in ongoing search efforts for a local teenager missing at Bakoven.
https://www.nsri.org.za/2025/09/teenager-missing-at-bakoven-police-divers-continue-search/

27/09/2025

At 15h25, Friday, 26 September, NSRI St Helena Bay duty crew were activated following reports from WC Government Health EMS West Coast Metro Control of a drowning in progress on the Berg River, near to the Berg River Mouth, at Rooibaai, Laaiplek, Veldrift, on the West Coast.
https://www.nsri.org.za/2025/09/teenager-tragically-drowns-in-berg-river-veldrift/

25/09/2025

Recently, our volunteers took on one of the most demanding courses on the NSRI calendar, the Swift Water Training weekend at the Breede River.

Led by Training Officer Dean Wegerle and supported by our training team, crews faced strong currents, unpredictable conditions and even a nighttime rescue exercise. The goal was simple but vital: to build the knowledge, skill and respect needed to work safely in powerful river environments.

Volunteers described the weekend as physically tough but deeply rewarding. They returned home stronger, more confident and united by the camaraderie that defines Sea Rescue. 💙

25/09/2025

This Heritage Day, Station 23 came together with our family and friends for a special celebration. Our Station Commander set up some challenging team activities that focused on communication, teamwork, and putting our skills into practice. After plenty of fun (and a few brain busters!), we wrapped up the evening the best way possible — sharing a braai together 🇿🇦🔥

23/09/2025

.🌊 55 years of service 🌊

In 1966, a young teenager stood on the shoreline, watching the SA Seafarer disaster unfold. That moment changed his life. It sparked a calling that would see Howard Godfrey dedicate more than half a century to saving lives at sea.

From crew member to station commander, mentor, and now Honorary Life Governor, Howard’s journey is proof that volunteering is more than duty; it becomes family.

Today, we celebrate 55 years of service, courage, and heart from this remarkable man. Thank you, Howard.

23/09/2025

NSRI Port Edward duty crew were activated following reports from uShaka Marine World of 2 green turtles needing to be recovered at the Umzimkulu River.
https://www.nsri.org.za/2025/09/two-green-turtles-rescued-at-umzimkulu-river/

23/09/2025

NSRI Durban duty crew were activated following reports from TNPA (Transnet National ports Authority) Port of Durban Port Control of a ski-boat capsized offshore of Maydon Wharf with casualty crew reported to be in the water.
https://www.nsri.org.za/2025/09/nsri-durban-5-rescued-by-good-samaritans-after-their-boat-capsizes/

23/09/2025

NSRI Gqeberha duty crew were alerted to prepare for a medical evacuation operation from a motor vessel container ship of a 55 year old Indian male seafarer suffering a medical condition.
https://www.nsri.org.za/2025/09/nsri-gqeberha-2-medical-evacuation-operations-off-ships-at-sea/

22/09/2025

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.

17/09/2025

This past weekend, Station 23 had the privilege of hosting crew from stations from around the country, as part of their Class IV Coxswain training. We were joined by Stations 1 (Head Office), 6 (Qgeberha), 26 (Strandfontein), 20 (Shelly Beach), 24 (Lamberts Bay), 33 (Witsand) and 49 (Mdumbi) 🙌

On Saturday evening, we focused on some of the core aspects of how we operate at our station - operational readiness, call-out procedures and local area knowledge.

Sunday morning brought a full surf day 🌊 Each trainee coxswain paired up with one of ours to practice launching on our tricky shoreline, navigating through challenging surf, recovering vessels, and completing post-training procedures.

We wrapped up with a debriefing session to reflect on the lessons learned and to share experiences.

A huge thank you to all the crew who joined us — your dedication and teamwork made for a weekend of valuable learning and growth 💪🚤

And good luck to all the trainee coxswains with their assessment! We look forward to hosting you all again soon! 👏

10/09/2025

“During the rugby match, up to 11 people will drown in Africa. That’s half a rugby squad, gone without a sound,” says Mike Vonk, NSRI CEO.
“While we cheer for tries, somewhere another family is experiencing a silent tragedy. We have to change that score.”
https://www.nsri.org.za/2025/09/time-to-change-the-score-rugby-meets-drowning-prevention/

08/09/2025

🌊 Yesterday’s messy surf gave us the perfect opportunity to shift our focus from the water to the shore for a bit. Our trainees worked through a full Pre-Sea Inspection checklist before helping to launch vessels 🚜🛟 - a vital part of keeping our station and our crew ready for any callout.

With the festive season just around the corner, we’re putting extra emphasis on slowing things down, paying attention to detail, and making sure safety always comes first 💪

01/09/2025

“The NSRI is building its final Offshore Rescue Craft, the last vessel needed to complete our world-class rescue fleet. But we can’t do it without the support of South Africa’s leading companies.”

Watch this short video to see why we’re doing it, and how your business can leave a lasting legacy. To get involved, contact Brad Seaton-Smith, Head of Marketing and Business Development, on bradley@searescue.org.za or call 021 434 4011

Join leading brands who’ve already put their names on our rescue fleet and be part of every rescue that follows.

The NSRI is building its final Offshore Rescue Craft, the last vessel needed to complete our world-class rescue fleet. But we can’t do it without the support...

24/08/2025

🚜 Today’s focus: mastering our vehicles! Our trainee crew members got hands-on training with our Tractor, Mobile, and Quad - sharpening their skills and building confidence for when it counts most. This way, they are always rescue-ready! 💪🌊

23/08/2025

🌊💪 Teamwork in action! Our crew came together this morning to pack sandbags to protect our satellite base in Herolds Bay from the big swells and damaging waves heading our way.

⚠️ A reminder to all small vessels and fishermen in our area: please be alert and take extra caution in these conditions. Safety first! 🚤🛟

12/08/2025

This Sunday our crew were on standby at both river crossings along the Touw River for the last day of the SOX - Southern Cross Trail Run 🏃‍♂️⛰️

Huge amounts of kudos to all the runners who braved the wind and the rain and still crossed the finished line 16kms later, with the biggest smiles on their faces! 💪🤩

We look forward to assisting again next year! 👏

09/08/2025

Here’s to the women who rescue ❤️

This Women’s Day, we honour the brave, skilled, and fiercely dedicated women who serve in all roles at Sea Rescue.

Whether at the helm of a rescue vessel, in the water as a swimmer, on the radio coordinating operations, or supporting from shoreline - these women do it all.

Calm in the chaos.
Strong in the storm.
Relentless in their mission to save lives 💪

To every woman who shows up, suits up, and stands strong - thank you for being the difference. You inspire us all ❤️👏

05/08/2025

We’d like to send out a massive THANK YOU to the incredible team at WRK Electrical for going above and beyond for our station! ⚡️❤️

Not only did they sort out some tricky electrical issues at our Sedgefield Boat House, but they also supplied and installed brand new LED lighting throughout the boathouse - completely free of charge!

Their generosity has quite literally brightened up our space and helped ensure that our crew can continue to operate safely and efficiently, day and night.

Support from local businesses like this makes all the difference to our volunteer-run organisation. Thank you, Billy and WRK Electrical, for being such a shining light in our community 💡💛