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

What a blessing to have such legends to serve with. Thank you to our local legend Uncle Ian Hamilton for walking your journey with us in Mossel Bay!

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

Weekend Training with Sea Rescue Mossel Bay

This weekend our crew put in solid hours aboard our new Rodman and our new 7.3m Gemini RIB, focusing on skills that keep us sharp and ready.

We covered Advanced Electronic Navigation Systems, practised casualty recoveries, worked through Advanced Search and Rescue Techniques, and gave our Class 3 trainee Coxswain valuable helming time.

Another productive session building capability and confidence on the water. Well done to everyone involved.

And of course, we can’t forget the late-night swim to fetch coffee for the Coxswains from The Sea Gypsy Café!

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…

15/10/2026

BE THE REASON SOMEONE MAKES IT HOME.

Have you ever thought about becoming a volunteer sea rescue crew member?

At Sea Rescue, our volunteers give their time, skills and hearts to help save lives on our coastline. It’s about teamwork, training, courage and showing up when someone needs you most.

You don’t need to be an expert on day one. You need a willingness to learn, a commitment to training and a passion for making a difference.

The sea needs people like you.

Interested in joining our crew? Get in touch with NSRI Station 15 Mossel Bay to find out more about becoming a volunteer.

15/10/2026

Entries close 25 October 2026. Enter now.

14/10/2026

What a privilege to train under skies like these.

PC: Kristen Dreyer

10/10/2026

Wishing our Trainee Coxswains all the very best as they head into their Class 4 Assessment in Wilderness.

You’ve put in the hours, the hard work and the commitment — now go out there and show what you’re made of. Stay sharp, stay safe, and trust your training.

We’re proud of you and behind you every step of the way.

Fair winds and following seas. 🌊🛟

29/09/2026

https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/09/a-new-chapter-for-the-spirit-of-vodacom-rescue-vessel/

What a blessing! ✨

After nearly two decades of service in the NSRI fleet, the Spirit of Vodacom has been given a new lease of life. Following a four-month refurbishment in…

26/09/2026

NSRI Station 15 Mossel Bay visited Cape Town on 20 August 2026 with two Coxswains and a Crewman to fetch our station's newest addition of rescue vessels. The 2007 built Rodman class rescue vessel served for several years on Station 3 whereafter she served at Station 4.
Now Station 15 is honoured to have this rescue vessel serving the greater Mossel Bay area and community. Sailing this vessel from Cape Town to Mossel showed us the true capabilities and endurance that a rescue vessel requires.
During the past three weeks our station's Coxswains, Trainee Coxswains and Crewman were trained by our Volunteer Support Centre Training Team by members that have served on this vessel for many years, transferring knowledge and skill to our crew that will now man this vessel.
After a three hour planning session last night, we left Mossel Bay this morning at 02:30 for Knysna doing extensive training on all of the navigational systems navigating through dense fog and darkness. Arriving at Knysna at around 06:00, Greame Harding, a seasoned Knysna Coxswain and VSC Training Department member, guided us through the Heads with slightly better visibility. What an amazing and awesome experience this with crew that has never done this before.
We shortly after started our return through the Heads and back to Mossel Bay as the tidal change was worsening in the exit path. We finally arrived back in Mossel Bay at 11:40. @
This training program with VSC will continue till end of November. Thank you all from Station 15.

21/09/2026

A massive THANK YOU from NSRI Station 15 Mossel Bay!

What an incredible day we had at our Annual Golf Day on Friday 18 September 2026 at the spectacular Pinnacle Point Golf Course.

This event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors and donors who stepped up so that we can continue saving lives along our coastline. Your contributions directly help keep our volunteer crews ready to answer the call when it matters most.

Heartfelt thanks to our Title Sponsor: Mitsubishi Motors

And to all our wonderful sponsors & donors:
GWM • Tiger Wheel and Tyre • AgriMark • Driftwood Lodge • ATKV • Santos Train Lodge • Jakkalsvlei • Albert Wiffen groep • Tyre Mart • Tyres and Treads • Hartenbos Game Lodge • Botlierskop • Garden Route Game Lodge • Cape St Blaize Artisanal Distillery • Blasters • Delicious Cakes • The Rude Box • Cliffside Restaurant • Beauty on the Bay • FJ Lordan Attorneys • Ehl-Kah Creative • Pinnacle Point Padel • Naas Grobler • DIY Depot • All of our cash donors too

And a special thank you to Pinnacle Point and every one of their friendly staff who made this such an amazing and memorable day for everyone involved.

To every single player who entered and supported us — thank you for showing up and making it a success. Your participation means the world.

And finally, to our own Sea Rescue crew and staff at our Volunteer Support Centre who worked tirelessly behind the scenes with all the arrangements, we are so proud of you and grateful for everything you do, both on and off the water.

Because of all of you, this fundraiser helps us keep our boats ready, our equipment maintained, and our volunteers trained so we can continue saving lives.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.