NSRI

12/11/2026

At 07h08, Monday, 9 November, NSRI Shelly Beach duty crew were activated following a request for medical assistance from a local charter boat.
https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/11/nsri-shelly-beach-responds-to-medical-emergency-on-local-charter-boat/

12/11/2026

Twenty years of teaching skills that save lives. And countless lessons that continue to make a difference.

Launched in October 2006 as WaterWise, the NSRI’s Water Safety Education programme has grown into a nationwide drowning-prevention initiative, reaching more than 7.1 million people over the past two decades.

From teaching children to recognise dangers around water to equipping them with practical skills that could save a life, the programme's impact reaches far beyond the classroom.

For Eoudia Erasmus, the NSRI’s first Water Safety Education instructor, the mission remains as important today as it was when she started: helping children stay safe around water and preventing families from experiencing the heartbreak of drowning.

As we celebrate 20 years, we recognise the instructors, volunteers, partners and communities who have helped make these lessons possible.

Here's to continuing the work and reaching even more lives in the years ahead.

Click the link to read full article: https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/10/20-years-of-water-safety-education/

10/11/2026

Congratulations to Damien on qualifying as a Class 4 Coxswain!

Becoming a coxswain is about far more than taking the helm. It takes sound judgement, confidence, leadership, experience and the ability to take responsibility for both crew and vessel. Behind this qualification are hours of training, learning, challenges and commitment.

This achievement represents an important step in Damien’s development and another addition to the coxswain capability within our station.

The responsibility grows, the learning continues and the real experience is built on the water.

10/11/2026

Last night, we had the privilege of qualifying not just one trainee, but three!

Congratulations to Anne, Chantelle and Roarke on achieving their crew qualifications. Behind every qualification are countless hours of training, dedication, commitment and personal sacrifice. It takes determination to get to this point, and each of you has earned this achievement.

But this is not the finish line. It is the beginning of a new chapter, with more to learn, more experience to gain and an important role to play in the work we do.

10/11/2026

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

10/11/2026

Glen Preston, NSRI Shelly Beach station commander, said:

At 18h02, Saturday, 7 November, NSRI Shelly Beach duty crew and Police Search and Rescue were activated following eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress at Umzumbe Beach, KZN South Coast.
https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/11/nsri-station-20-shelly-beach-umzumbe-a-female-is-sadly-deceased/

10/11/2026

Every child deserves the opportunity to learn how to stay safe around water.

Through a partnership with the Australian Government, supported by its Direct Aid Program, the NSRI is helping children across Gauteng, the Free State, Mpumalanga and Limpopo develop essential water safety knowledge and practical survival swimming skills.

Between April and August 2026, the initiative reached 26,786 learners through water safety presentations, with 141 children also receiving survival swimming training.

From recognising potential dangers to learning how to float and move towards safety, these are skills that could one day save a life.

Together, we are building a safer relationship with water for the next generation.

Thank you to the Australian Government for helping make this possible.

Click the link to read full article: https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/10/australian-partnership-helps-nsri-bring-lifesaving-water-skills-
to-inland-children/

09/11/2026

NSRI Durban attended to two Medical Evacuation Operations. On Thursday Afternoon, 5 November, NSRI Durban duty crew were alerted by MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) to a maritime medical evacuation operation of a 39 year old Chinese male seafarer, with a medical complaint, from a 66 meter fishing vessel approaching towards Durban from deep sea On Friday at 17h30 NSRI Durban duty crew and Faith Med ambulance services attended at our NSRI Durban station 5 rescue base where we launched the NSRI rescue craft Alick Rennie, accompanied by NSRI MEX (Maritime Extrication) crew and Faith Med rescue paramedics.

NSRI Durban attended to two Medical Evacuation Operations.On Thursday Afternoon, 5 November, NSRI Durban duty crew were alerted by MRCC (Maritime Rescue…

08/11/2026

NSRI – Onrus – Sunday, 8 November. A man assisted by a Good Samaritan using an NSRI pink rescue buoy

https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/11/nsri-onrus-sunday-8-november-a-man-assisted-by-a-good-samaritan-using-an-nsri-pink-rescue-buoy/

08/11/2026

https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/11/nsri-richards-bay-sunday-8-november-a-motor-yacht-assisted/

06/11/2026

🍷 R450 000 raised for the NSRI at the 28th Rotary W**e Auction

Last night, 140 guests gathered at the Lagoon Beach Hotel in Cape Town for the 28th annual Rotary W**e Auction, hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Newlands and Table Bay. With auctioneer Andrew Koch leading some spirited bidding on lots from leading South African w**e estates and w**emakers, the evening raised R450 000.

The funds will go towards a new JetRIB for our NSRI Gordons Bay volunteer crew. She is a fast-response inshore and surf rescue craft, and she will make a real difference in the Gordons Bay and Strand area.

“For 28 years your generosity has kept our volunteers well equipped and ready to save lives,” said NSRI CEO Mike Vonk.

Thank you to the Rotarians of Newlands and Table Bay, the participating w**e estates and w**emakers, Raka W**es, Vriesenhof W**es, XL Events, InHouse AV, Brice&Burnett, the owners of the superyacht Princess Emma, our Gordons Bay crew, Andrew Koch and the Lagoon Beach Hotel. And to every guest who raised a paddle: thank you. 💙



https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/11/28th-rotary-w**e-auction-raises-r450-000-for-the-nsri/

06/11/2026

We are excited to welcome the start of the 2026 FNB W**es2Whales today as the event’s official charity partner, bringing water safety awareness and drowning prevention to the riders and communities along the race route.

https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/11/nsri-celebrates-the-start-of-fnb-w**es2whales-with-water-safety-at-the-heart-of-the-ride/

06/11/2026

05/11/2026

The crew from NSRI Station 18 – Melkbosstrand invites you to join us for our special annual “Swim-Out” to remember and honour all who have been lost to the ocean. 💙

🗓 When: Saturday, 7 November
🕐 Time: 13:00
📍 Where: Melkbos slipway

This is a time for our community to come together... to reflect, to show support, and to celebrate the lives and courage of those who never made it home.

Whether you’d like to swim, watch from the beach, or simply stand with us in silence, everyone is welcome. See you there!

02/11/2026

Friday Night Training | Port Crew

Friday night provided a great opportunity for our Port crew to get valuable night hours on the water, an important part of developing confidence and competence in night-time operations.

Operating in darkness brings a different set of challenges. Crew need to become comfortable with reduced visibility and changing conditions, rely on their senses and put their local area knowledge to the test. It’s about learning to read your surroundings and building confidence when familiar landmarks and visual references are no longer as obvious.

The conditions also provided an excellent opportunity for our Class 3 trainee coxswain to gain valuable helm time, further developing their skills and experience.

Every hour on the water, in every condition, contributes to building capable, confident and well-rounded crew.

01/11/2026

27/10/2026

🚨CLASS 3 COXSWAIN TRAINING | STATION 18🚨

Another solid training session for our Class 3 trainee coxswains, putting skills, judgement and boat handling to the test.

This session focused on some of the more demanding manoeuvres and techniques that coxswains need to be confident with when operating in close quarters and challenging conditions:

Close Quarters Manoeuvring – precision, control and situational awareness when operating with limited room to manoeuvre.

Veering Down – building confidence in managing the vessel and maintaining control while approaching a casualty or target.

Rafting – safely bringing vessels alongside and maintaining control while working together as a team.

Drogue Deployment – practical training in deploying and managing a drogue to assist with controlling the vessel in challenging conditions.

These sessions are about more than simply learning manoeuvres. They are about developing confidence, judgement, communication and consistency — the skills that allow a coxswain to make the right decisions when it matters.

Every training session brings our trainee coxswains one step closer to being ready for a time or situation when called upon.

25/10/2026

CLASS III TRAINEE COXSWAIN TRAINING

The Class III Trainee Coxswains focused on pacing during a joint training session with R3.

Pacing is a high-risk exercise that demands intense focus, discipline, and exceptional control. It requires coxswains to remain composed under pressure, trust their judgement, and maintain control while operating in challenging conditions.

It takes courage to push your limits, discipline to stay focused, and control to get it right. Every session is an opportunity to build confidence and sharpen the skills required of a rescue coxswain.

23/10/2026

🌊 TRAINING TODAY. RESCUE TOMORROW. 🚤

Building skills, improving readiness, and keeping people safe.

Our last weekends training programme focused on strengthening practical skills and operational readiness through a combination of theory, land-based training, and on-water exercises.

We covered:

🪁 Kite Surfer Rescue – Understanding kite surfers, their equipment, and rescue techniques.

🪢 Rope Work & Mooring – Developing essential rope-handling and mooring skills.

🚤 Practical Training – Task book assessments and rock work.

🆘 Search and Rescue (SAR) – A coordinated exercise involving the control room, two assets, and drift buoy deployment.

Every session is an opportunity to learn, improve, and build confidence as a team. By identifying weaknesses and working on them together, we strengthen our ability to respond effectively when it matters most.

Train with purpose. Work as a team. Be ready to respond.

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…