NSRI

22/10/2026

A Week of Life-Saving Missions: Every week, our volunteer rescue crews respond to emergencies across South Africa, from our coastlines to inland waters.
Here’s a look at some of the rescues, images, and moments from the past week that reflect their courage, skill, and unwavering commitment to saving lives. To read more incredible stories from the world of the NSRI, visit our news page here: https://www.nsri.org.za/news-stories

22/10/2026

After nearly two decades in the NSRI fleet, the *Spirit of Vodacom* has a new home.

Following a four-month refurbishment in Cape Town, the vessel has made the journey to Station 15 Mossel Bay, where she will now serve as Rescue 15.

With greater range and endurance, her arrival strengthens the station’s ability to respond to incidents along the coastline and further offshore.

After 19 years of answering the call, this is the beginning of her next chapter.

Read the full story of Rescue 15’s journey to Mossel Bay: https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/09/a-new-chapter-for-the-spirit-of-vodacom-rescue-vessel/

21/10/2026

At 14h29, Monday, 19 October, NSRI Richards Bay duty crew were placed on alert to prepare for a maritime medical evacuation operation for 3 male seafarers injured on board a 292-meter bulk carrier motor vessel at anchorage offshore of Richards Bay.
https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/10/nsri-richards-bay-wednesday-21-october-a-maritime-medical-evacuation-operation-of-2-injured-seafarers/

21/10/2026

🗳️ Our Witbank Dam crew needs your vote!

Volunteer crew at NSRI Station 35 Witbank Dam have been named one of 10 finalists for the People’s Choice Award at the International Maritime Rescue Federation Awards 2026. They are the only South African finalists this year.

The nomination recognises a demanding night rescue. The crew travelled 140 km to reach four people trapped at the edge of the 40-metre Grootdraai Dam spillway. In the dark, in strong winds and fast-flowing water, they adapted as conditions changed and brought all four people to safety.

They now stand alongside nominees from seven countries, including the RNLI, the Swedish Sea Rescue Society, Coastguard New Zealand, Marine Rescue NSW and China’s Beihai No.1 Rescue Flying Team.

This award isn’t decided by judges. It’s decided by you. 💙

👉 Vote here (it takes less than 20 seconds): surveymonkey.com/r/2026PCAward

Voting closes at midnight on 30 October 2026, and the winner will be announced on 25 November at the IMRF Conference in Saint-Malo, France.

Please vote, share this post and help us show the world what our volunteers do.

20/10/2026

A 48-year-old man from Belgium is expected to be discharged from hospital today after a non-fatal drowning incident at a remote beach between Brenton-on-Sea and Buffalo Bay on Monday afternoon. The man, on a cycling holiday with his family, is believed to have been caught in rip currents while swimming.

A 48-year-old man from Belgium is expected to be discharged from hospital today after a non-fatal drowning incident at a remote beach between…

20/10/2026

On Saturday morning, NSRI Port Nolloth volunteers on a routine training exercise responded when a local mining vessel raised concern for three of her crew who had gone ashore on their RHIB (rigid hull inflatable boat) and had not been heard from. All three were found safe in the harbour.
https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/10/mining-vessel-crew-assisted-after-rhib-loses-motor-power/

20/10/2026

The National Sea Rescue Institute is a charity staffed by volunteers who are on call 24/7. Our mission is to save lives on South African waters.

20/10/2026

We would like to thank Henry and the parents and students at Crawford International for their generous donation towards Stn 25 and Stn 27. Thanks Henry for the effort to run this at your school.
Crawford International Bedfordview
Nsri Station 27 Gauteng

As volunteers it is great to be provided with a cold bottle of water on a call, or a warm coffee after a call- out or training.

Donations like this are always welcome.

20/10/2026

55 years of service. Two remarkable NSRI journeys.

In 1971, Pat van Eyssen and Ian Hamilton began their journeys with the NSRI.

Pat was 19 when he joined after being invited to a training session. Ian helped establish what would become Station 15 Mossel Bay, despite having little experience with boats or the sea.

Five and a half decades later, both have seen the NSRI grow from an organisation working with limited resources into a world leader in search and rescue.

Along the way, there have been difficult rescues, lives saved and countless moments that have stayed with them. But for both Pat and Ian, it has always come back to the people and the difference volunteers can make.

55 years on, their commitment remains an extraordinary example of what it means to volunteer.

Read their stories and discover just how far the NSRI has come: https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/09/pat-van-eyssen-and-ian-hamilton-celebrate-55-years-of-service/

19/10/2026

NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew were activated following a request for medical assistance from a group of hikers reporting that a female in their group was suffering an injury and unable to continue on the walk.
https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/10/injured-hiker-rescued-from-robberg-nature-reserve-by-nsri-plettenberg-bay/

19/10/2026

https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/10/nsri-richards-bay-monday-19-october-a-man-is-missing/

NSRI – Richards Bay – Monday, 19 October. A man is missing:


Norman Rautenbach, NSRI Richards Bay station commander, said:

At 17h33, Sunday, 18 October, NSRI Richards Bay duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress at Main Beach, Alkanstrand, Richards Bay.

Reports indicated 2 persons appearing to be in distress in the surf zone, caught in rip currents.

NSRI rescue swimmers, our NSRI rescue vehicle, the SA Police Service, Police Search and Rescue, uMhlathuze Fire and Rescue Services and Mounties EMS (Emergency Medical Services) responded.

While responding further eyewitness emergency calls indicated that one man had managed to reach the shore and one man had gone missing in the surf zone.

On arrival on the scene, it was confirmed that one man, age 26, was safely ashore and his friend, age 27, had gone missing after last being seen in distress appearing to be caught in rip currents in the surf zone.

An extensive search has revealed no signs of the missing man.

Police have opened an investigation.

It appears that while swimming the 26 year old may have been caught in rip currents when his friend reportedly tried to assist him but he was then caught in the rip currents.

Paramedics attended to the 26 year old and after being medically assessed he required no further medical care.

Police Search and Rescue are continuing in ongoing search efforts for the missing man.

Thoughts and care are with the family and friends of the missing man in this difficult time.

NSRI – STATION 19, Richards Bay.NSRI – Richards Bay – Monday, 19 October. A man is missing: Norman Rautenbach, NSRI Richards Bay station commander,…

19/10/2026

In swells of up to 5 metres, NSRI Table Bay crew hoisted a seriously injured seafarer from a 229-metre cargo ship 12 nautical miles offshore on Saturday, 17 October, bringing him safely back to land and into the care of paramedics.

NSRI Table Bay carried out a maritime medical evacuation of a seriously injured 30-year-old Filipino seafarer from a 229-metre cargo ship, 12 nautical…

17/10/2026

A gift celebrating a couple’s wedding anniversary. A tribute to a mother who quietly supported sea rescue. A husband’s thank you to the wife who helped…

23/05/2026

Right okes…

Today’s article isn’t the usual “which motor is faster” or “why your trailer wheel bearings are held together by prayer and old grease.”

No no.

Today we’re talking about the moment boating goes from:

“Shot for the beers boet”

To:

“Hello sir, can you explain exactly what happened here?”

Because let me tell you something a LOT of South African skippers do not understand properly…

The SECOND you put people on your boat and leave the ramp...

You are no longer just “the oke driving.”

You are legally responsible for every single soul on that boat.

And if something goes wrong?

Not “my cousin’s boat.”
Not “our trip.”
Not “the crew.”

YOU.

The skipper.

Congratulations boet.

You wanted to hold the throttle.
Now you hold the responsibility too.

𝗦𝗢 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗔𝗦 𝗔𝗡 “𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧”?

Because this is where okes already get it wrong.

Most people think a “marine incident” means:

• Boat on fire
• Helicopters
• NSRI everywhere
• Carte Blanche episode next Sunday

Nope.

According to SAMSA, an incident can ALSO be:

• Boat stranded
• Serious damage
• Someone seriously injured
• A vessel in “great peril”

Now THAT last one is where things get spicy.

“Great peril.”

That’s a VERY fancy legal way of saying:

“Ag fok this is going badly.”

Engine dies offshore while the swell starts standing up?

Great peril.

Boat nearly rolls because your china hit a wake sideways doing Mach 11?

Great peril.

Stranded on a sandbank while the wind starts pumping and your crew suddenly goes very quiet?

Great peril.

A lot of okes have probably already had a reportable incident and didn’t even know it.

𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣 𝟭: 𝗗𝗢. 𝗡𝗢𝗧. 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗩𝗘.

This sounds obvious.

Yet somehow every second oke’s first instinct is:

• “Let’s just get home quickly.”
• “We’ll sort it out later.”
• “Don’t say anything yet.”
• “Phone my lawyer.”
• “Phone my wife.”
• “Actually no don’t phone my wife.”

Listen carefully.

If something serious happens on the water

YOU DO NOT JUST LEAVE.

Under SA law, the skipper has a legal duty to stop and assist.

Not tomorrow.
Not after the panic settles.
Not after a dop and a debrief around the braai.

Immediately.

Same way you can’t drive away from a car accident…

You can’t throttle away from a boating incident pretending it’ll disappear into the sunset like a pontoon advert.

You stop.
You help.
You stay.

Simple.

𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣 𝟮: 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣 𝗣𝗘𝗢𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦. 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗕𝗢𝗔𝗧.

And this is important because some okes panic and immediately start worrying about:

• Insurance
• Fibreglass damage
• The motor
• The trailer
• “Cowling is scratched”

Meanwhile there’s still a guy floating in the water.

PEOPLE FIRST.

Always.

Your legal responsibility is to assist EVERYONE affected.

Even if the other oke caused the accident.

Even if he drove like a complete chop.

Even if your blood pressure is currently 240/190.

You assist.

• Get people out the water
• Do first aid
• Keep everyone calm
• Count heads properly
• Call NSRI immediately if needed

And please boet…

This is not the time for six different uncles screaming six different instructions.

Every boating emergency somehow turns into:

• “TURN LEFT!”
• “NO RIGHT!”
• “KILL THE MOTOR!”
• “WHERE’S THE LIFE JACKETS?”
• “WHO TOOK MY PHONE?”

Absolute chaos.

The skipper must stay calm.

Even if inside your soul has already left your body.

𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣 𝟯: 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣. 𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗬.

One thing about NSRI okes?

They would MUCH rather arrive and find out things aren’t that serious…

Than arrive too late.

So if someone is injured…
Missing…
Boat taking on water…
Conditions getting dangerous…

CALL.

Immediately.

Not after a 45-minute WhatsApp group discussion titled:

“Do you guys think we should maybe call someone?”

𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣 𝟰: 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝟮𝟰-𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗔𝗠𝗦𝗔 𝗥𝗨𝗟𝗘

Now THIS…

This is the part most SA boaters genuinely do not know.

If you’ve had a qualifying marine incident

You are legally required to report it to SAMSA within 24 hours.

Twenty.
Four.
Hours.

Not Monday.

Not after your insurance quote.

Not after your buddy says:
“Ag no man don’t worry about it.”

Within 24 hours.

And here’s where okes get themselves properly in the kak…

Sometimes the accident itself wasn’t even criminal.

Could’ve been weather.
Mechanical failure.
Freak situation.
Honest mistake.

BUT THEN…

The oke never reports it.

And now suddenly he’s committed a SECOND offence completely for free.

Because he couldn’t fill in paperwork.

Imagine surviving the actual emergency…

Only to get folded by admin.

That’s South Africa for you boet.

𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣 𝟱: 𝗬𝗘𝗦… 𝗦𝗔𝗣𝗦 𝗧𝗢𝗢.

A lot of people think:
“I reported to SAMSA. Done.”

Negative captain.

SAPS ALSO needs to be informed.

Because once injuries, negligence, fatalities or dangerous operation enters the chat…

This is no longer just “a boating problem.”

This becomes a legal investigation.

Statements.
Witnesses.
Evidence.
Possible charges.

And this is where the article suddenly stops feeling lekker.

Because people forget something VERY important:

If somebody dies on your boat because you were negligent…

You can absolutely face culpable homicide charges in South Africa.

That’s real life.

Not Facebook comments.
Not boating gossip.
Not “my buddy knows a guy.”

REAL charges.

REAL court.

REAL consequences.

𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗔𝗦 “𝗡𝗘𝗚𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘”?

Sometimes it’s the obvious stuff.

• Drinking and boating
• Overloading the boat
• No safety gear
• Ignoring weather warnings
• Running stupid speeds
• Not using kill switches
• Known mechanical issues

But sometimes negligence is smaller stuff that stacks up.

The law basically asks:

“Would a reasonable skipper have done this?”

And boet…

Some okes on our dams and coastlines are operating WELL outside the “reasonable skipper” category.

You see them every December:

• Cooler box first
• Safety briefing never
• Six people sitting on the bow
• One oke barefoot holding onto the T-top for emotional support
• Driver trimmed to the moon
• Music at nightclub levels
• Absolutely zero clue what’s happening

Then when things go wrong everybody suddenly acts shocked.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗠𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗞𝗘𝗦 𝗗𝗢𝗡’𝗧 𝗪𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥

Most incidents in SA never get reported properly.

And honestly?

I understand why.

After a traumatic day on the water the LAST thing you feel like doing is paperwork.

You’re tired.
Shaken.
Embarrassed.
Stressed.

But reporting matters.

Because every incident teaches something.

What failed.
What conditions caused problems.
What equipment saved lives.
What mistakes got people hurt.

That information helps the next skipper.

And one day…

That next skipper might be you.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗗𝗢?

Brief your people before every trip.

Seriously.

Not a TED Talk.

Just two minutes.

• Where the life jackets are
• What to do if someone falls overboard
• Emergency numbers
• Fire extinguisher location
• Kill switch
• Basic plan if things go sideways

Because when panic hits…

People become absolutely useless.

You can have a grown man with two businesses and a Hilux…

Completely forget how a life jacket works the second the boat starts leaning funny.

𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦

Being skipper is lekker.

But it’s also serious.

The ocean doesn’t care about confidence.
The dam doesn’t care about ego.

And the law definitely doesn’t care about:
“But officer we were just having a jol…”

The second you leave that ramp

You carry responsibility.

Real responsibility.

So know the rules BEFORE you need them.

Because trust me…

The day something goes wrong is a terrible time to start Googling:
“Can I leave the scene of a boating accident South Africa?”

𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝗸𝗲𝘀
• Did you know about the 24-hour SAMSA reporting rule?
• Have you ever had a proper “oh jinne…” moment on the water?
• And be honest… do you actually brief your crew before every trip?

30/03/2026

NSRI Advisory: Spring Tide and Coastal Safety Precautions:

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) urges beachgoers to exercise caution during the full moon spring tide, which peaks on Thursday, 2 April 2026, as it will affect tidal conditions over the Easter weekend. This natural phenomenon occurs when the sun, moon, and Earth align during the full moon phase, amplifying the gravitational pull on the Earth’s oceans.

The effects of this full moon spring tide will be felt over the long weekend and for the next few days. The NSRI is advising holidaymakers, beach visitors, rock and surf anglers, and those walking on coastal paths to be aware of the larger tidal variation typical of spring tides.

What to Expect During a Spring Tide:
Higher High Tides: Water levels will rise significantly, reaching further up the shoreline.
Lower Low Tides: More of the seabed will be exposed as water levels dip below average.
Increased Tidal Range: The difference between high and low tide levels will be at its maximum.
Impacts and Hazards of a Spring Tide:

Spring tides often result in stronger tidal currents, particularly in narrow inlets.
This natural phenomenon can present potential dangers:
Rip Currents: Stronger tidal flows intensify rip currents at beaches, posing a risk to swimmers.
Rip Tides: Stronger tidal flows of water, especially in places like the Knysna Heads.
Coastal Hiking Hazards: Some hiking trails near the coast may become inaccessible or hazardous during high tide in the afternoon over the Easter weekend.
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: To avoid rip currents, swim between lifeguard flags.
Be aware of rip currents: Rip currents are particularly strong during spring tides, especially during outgoing tides in the late afternoon and early evening.
Stay informed: Check daily weather forecasts from the South African Weather Service (SAWS) and consult tide timetables.
Coastal Activities
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, an empty 5L water container with a rope attached) to throw 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 lets you log your trip and quickly and easily call the NSRI for help.
General Water Safety
Alcohol and swimming: Drinking alcohol before doing an activity in or near water may put your life at risk.
Supervise children: Ensure that children are under the supervision of a responsible adult in and near the water.
Inland water caution: Be cautious around rivers, lakes, and dams, especially during and after heavy rainfall in the region.
Weather awareness: Monitor adverse weather conditions such as strong winds and fast-flowing rivers.
Additional Precautions
Time your activities: Be cautious during tide changes, especially when high tide recedes to low tide for beach visitors (in the late afternoon) and on the incoming tide for rock anglers.
Stay informed: Follow local safety alerts and warnings issued by authorities.
Enjoy Coastal Activities Responsibly:

The effects of spring tides can last several days. By adhering to these safety measures, you can minimise risks and enjoy the ocean’s natural beauty responsibly. The NSRI remains committed to safeguarding lives and promoting awareness of coastal hazards.

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

For interviews or information, please get in touch with NSRI Communications Manager Andrew Ingram at [email protected] or on 082 990 5977


About the NSRI:
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is a registered non-profit organisation that is committed to drowning prevention and focused on saving lives, changing lives and creating futures for those threatened by drowning in South Africa.

We are unique in South Africa as the only non-profit organisation focusing exclusively on safeguarding lives and livelihoods in South African waters through education, prevention, and rescue operations. We envision a nation where drowning incidents are minimised, ensuring the safety of all.

The NSRI strives to innovate, constantly evolve, and extend our water safety initiatives through empowerment and visibility. Our volunteers are on call 24/7 and are reliant on donations and sponsorships.

Please visit www.nsri.org.za for more information.

NSRI EMERGENCY: 087 094 9774

National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is a volunteer organisation that saves lives on South African waters through rescue services and water-safety…

21/02/2026

Lunch for crew supplied generously again by Pizza Perfect Burger Perfect Oakfields.
Thank you Robert Geyer

21/02/2026

A busy day at NSRI -
Attended the opening of the new base at station 35 Witbank.
Visit from NSRIhead office staff including our CEO Mike Vonk.
F1 racing event at our home base rand speedboat club - guys on the water and on shore for over 12 hours.

09/02/2026

Alright okes, today we’re chatting about the one logo you pray you never need… but you’re damn grateful when you do.

Ja, we’re talking about the 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲.

If you don’t know who the NSRI is, then you’ve either never been near water in SA… or you’ve been cruising on pure luck and brandewyn fumes your whole life.

These are the okes that arrive when:
• the motor won’t start,
• the weather turns feral,
• the fog closes in,
• or your “quick paddle” turns into a Netflix survival documentary.

They’re basically the reason a bad day doesn’t turn into a funeral.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝘁𝘀: 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗼𝘀, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺
NSRI boats aren’t there to look pretty at the slip...

• 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝘁𝘀 – flip them upside down and they just roll back like “ja nee, nice try boet”
• 𝗝𝗲𝘁𝗥𝗜𝗕𝘀 – no props, straight into the surf, right next to a drowning oke without chopping him into calamari
• 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀 – Running 50+ nautical miles offshore to pull people off ships when s**t goes south.

And lekker bonus:
Most of these boats are 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮, tuned for our coastline where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans constantly have a domestic dispute.

But here’s the thing…

Even with the best boats, the hardest part of rescue is still this one word:
𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂.

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆’𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻
Today’s post is not about the boats.
It’s not even really about the rescues.

It’s about the app that turns:

“We think he was somewhere out there…”
into
“Cool, we’re on our way. We’ve got your coordinates.”

Enter: 𝗡𝗦𝗥𝗜 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗧𝗿𝘅.

𝗡𝗦𝗥𝗜 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗧𝗿𝘅 – 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴
Let’s be honest for a second.

Your phone is full of rubbish:
• Tinder (you’re not using it properly anyway)
• Temu (stop lying to yourself)
• Spur app (you open it once a year)

Delete something.
Make space.
Download 𝗡𝗦𝗥𝗜 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗧𝗿𝘅.

Because this app does one very important thing:
𝗜𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗦𝗥𝗜 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲.

No guessing.
No “last seen near the point”.
No helicopters flying around burning fuel while your family is pacing the lounge.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗧𝗿𝘅 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 (𝗻𝗼 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲)
• You log your trip
• You say where you’re going and when you’ll be back
• You choose emergency contacts
• If you don’t “close” your trip... alarms go off
• Your family AND NSRI get notified
• Rescue starts with your actual GPS track

That’s the difference between:

searching the ocean
and
driving straight to you

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗳𝗳 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲
This app is smarter than most skippers before coffee:
• If your phone battery drops, it saves power
• At 30% it slows tracking to keep your phone alive
• At 10% it keeps enough juice for a final call
• Even with no signal, it records your route
• As soon as signal comes back... boom, uploads everything
• Works with Garmin SOS watches (hands wet, still works)
• Lets you mark yourself as “willing to assist” and help someone nearby faster than a boat launch

It’s not just for boats either:
• surf-ski
• kayak
• SUP
• coastal hikes
• fishing
• paddling
• that “I’ll just go check the conditions quickly” mission

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗽 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 (𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗿𝘆, 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀)
People have been pulled out of:
• 4m swell
• thick fog
• dead engines
• hypothermia situations

Because 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗧𝗿𝘅 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗦𝗥𝗜 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼.

Not “somewhere in False Bay”.
Not “off Gqeberha”.

𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲. 𝗢𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝘁.

And before you ask…
Yes... it’s FREE.
No subscription.
No ads.
No nonsense.

So if you go near water in South Africa and you don’t have SafeTrx, you’re basically saying:
“If something goes wrong, I hope someone guesses correctly.”

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱
You don’t download SafeTrx because you’re scared.
You download it because you’re 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗽.

It doesn’t stop you from pushing limits.
It lets you push limits with a safety net.

Download it.
Set it up once.
Use it every time.

Now tell me in the comments:
Who’s already using SafeTrx… and who just realised they’ve been winging it their whole life?

NSRI

05/02/2026

The National Sea Rescue Institute is a charity staffed by volunteers who are on call 24/7. Our mission is to save lives on South African waters.