NSRI

30/10/2026

Congratulations to Charles Booysen, our September Photo of the Month winner, for this cracking photograph of a humpback whale breaching in False Bay.

Charles wins a R250 voucher for the NSRI online shop.

Think you have a photo that captures the NSRI, our volunteers, supporters or the places where we operate? Submit your photo for a chance to be featured and win next month’s prize.

Read the competition terms and find out how to enter: https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/09/photo-of-the-month-september-2026/

28/10/2026

Earlier this year, 196 young people began a journey to become stronger water-safety leaders in their communities.

Now, four YeboScouters have taken another step forward, completing an intensive five-day lifeguard readiness programme with the NSRI.

Over five days, they worked through CPR, shallow-water rescues, spinal management and patient recovery, while making significant progress in the water.

But becoming a lifeguard is about more than being a strong swimmer. It is about prevention, awareness, teamwork and knowing how to respond when something goes wrong.

For these four young people, the journey isn't over yet. They will continue training as they work towards their qualifying assessments.

Saving lives, changing lives and creating futures.

Read the full story of their journey here: https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/09/yeboscouters-take-on-lifeguard-training/

27/10/2026

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

26/10/2026

NSRI – STATION 3, Table Bay. STATION 18, Melkbosstrand. STATION 1, VSC (Volunteer Support Centre) training department.

NSRI – Table Bay – Monday, 26 October. A commercial charter vessel assisted:


Davide Del Fante, NSRI Table Bay coxswain, said:

At 18h59, Saturday, 24 October, NSRI Table Bay duty crew were activated following a request for assistance from a local commercial charter vessel, on a sunset cruise, reporting to be taking on water, offshore of Green Point, with 37 passengers, including 7 crew.

Our duty crew responded to our NSRI Table Bay station 3 rescue base while shore controllers responded to get visuals from the shore side.

NSRI Melkbosstrand were placed on alert.

NSRI VSC (Volunteer Support Centre) training department, conducting routine training, dispatched the NSRI rescue craft Colorpress Rescuer.

NSRI Table Bay duty crew launched the NSRI rescue craft DHL Deliverer.

At least 6 local fellow commercial charter boats, in the area at the time, were on hand at the casualty vessel ready to assist if required.

TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Port of Table Bay Port Control put tug vessels on alert to assist if necessary.

On NSRI rescue craft arriving on the scene we found the casualty vessel underway, under her own power, and NSRI rescue craft escorted the vessel to her moorings at the V&A marina in the Port of Table Bay.

Once the casualty vessel was safely moored all passengers disembarked safely without incident and they required no assistance.

NSRI crew joined the casualty vessel crew onboard where 2 NSRI water extrication pumps were deployed and water ingress, in the engine room, was extracted.

After all water was extricated the water inflow was stemmed and no further assistance was required.

The operation was completed at 20h00.
https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/10/commercial-sunset-cruise-vessel-escorted-safely-to-marina-after-taking-on-water/

26/10/2026

https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/10/nsri-ganzekraal-monday-26-october-a-father-and-his-son-trapped-on-rocks-offshore-cut-off-from-mainland-by-the-spring-high-tide/

NSRI – Ganzekraal – Monday, 26 October. A father and his son trapped on rocks offshore, cut off from mainland by the Spring high tide:


Junre Marais, NSRI Yzerfontein station commander, said:

At 14h30, Saturday, 24 October, NSRI Yzerfontein duty crew were activated following call to NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) from family reporting that a father and his son were on rocks, offshore at Ganzekraal, and cut off from mainland by the Spring high tide.

The father, age 50, and his son, age 9, from Cape Town, had been fishing from rocks that were easily accessible during the Spring low tide but at the Spring high tide they were cut off from being able to get back to mainland.

Our duty crew responded to our NSRI Yzerfontein station 34 rescue base and we dispatched our rescue vehicle, towing our rescue craft JetRIB Janine.

On arrival Ganzekraal we launched our rescue craft Janine and reached the casualties at a rocky outcrop offshore.

An NSRI rescue swimmer was deployed onto the rocks where the father was assisted onto the rescue craft, accompanied by their fishing gear, and he was brought to shore safely.

The NSRI craft returned to the rocks and without incident the son and our rescue swimmer were brought to shore onboard our rescue craft.

Once safely ashore they required no further assistance.

Our rescue craft was recovered at 16h00 and the operation was completed at 17h00.

25/10/2026

https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/10/nsri-ballito-sunday-25-october-a-man-is-missing/

A man believed to be 35 remains missing after being caught in rip currents near the Salmon Bay launch site, Ballito. Search efforts by NSRI and partner…

25/10/2026

https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/10/nsri-wilderness-man-dies-after-drowning-accident-at-leentjiesklip-beach/

A local man has died following a drowning accident at Leentjiesklip Beach, Wilderness, after two fathers went into the water to help their teenage sons…

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/

25/04/2026

Teaching the next generation
On Friday, 24 April our station had the pleasure to host the gr 4 class of Stulting Primary school. Arries taught the learners about water safety, rip currents, CPR, what to do in an emergency situation. We are grateful to show then what NSRI is about & it was so much fun interacting with the learners.

19/04/2026

Doing what we do best - medivac

07/03/2026

to spreading the Christmas joy on the canals. Loving what we do🎅🏻🤶🏻

30/01/2026

Rescue 21 on her way to a medivac

20/01/2026

Doing our bit to help the community with the devastating fires we had that started on 8 Jan and lasted for 7 days!
A big shout out and thanks to the community and volunteers, from donating supplies to fighting the flames. Working together as a team to save properties and minimising the destruction, what a valiant effort.
We salute you.

11/01/2026

09/01/2026

Detailed list of donations needed

09/01/2026

Some of our team at 21 have been responding to call outs at sea and fire fighting on land.
We share this information as it involves all emergency services.
Public are encouraged to drop off donations for the fire fighters at St Francis Bay Fire Station and at 22 Eatery.

Some donations could include
Towels
Non alcoholic face wipes
Lip balm NOT Vaseline (petroleum based)
Eye drops
Energy bars
Water
Rehydration sachets
Burn shield
Heat proof (welding gloves)
N95 masks
A list of needs are detailed on Municipality socials

PUBLIC NOTICE
FIRE UPDATE
9 January 2026 | 17:15

After a gruelling day, our firefighters remain on the ground, working tirelessly to contain and extinguish multiple fires across the region.

The following updates are noted:

Additional air resources have been deployed. Three aircraft are currently providing much-needed aerial support to ground crews.

Sporadic flare-ups continue to occur across affected areas.

The fire at Vlakteplaas remains out of control, with flames reaching significant heights. Two aircraft, together with firefighters on the ground, are actively combating the blaze. Firefighters will continue working through the night at this location.

At the Kromme River, firefighters are actively engaged in containment and suppression efforts under challenging conditions.

The fire at Paradise Beach flared up earlier but has since been brought under control.

The fire at Zuurbron, advancing towards Hankey behind the mountain range, is currently being managed by response teams.

Between Humansdorp and Jeffreys Bay—between the N2 and R102—two firefighting teams, supported by local farmers, are working to contain and extinguish the fire.

Aerial support will continue to douse fires for as long as daylight permits and will resume again at first light tomorrow.

Electricity supply to St Francis Bay, Oyster Bay, and Cape St Francis has been fully restored.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all those who continue to support the firefighting efforts, including farmers, community members, and businesses.

Further updates will be communicated as the situation develops.

09/01/2026

IMPORTANT NOTICE – MARINE ANIMAL STRANDINGS (Kouga Coastline)
Due to the current fire situation in the Kouga area, we ask the public to please use the following contact number for any seal or marine animal strandings along the Kouga coastline until further notice.

📞 Kouga Emergency Contact (today): 067 108 1510
Please do not approach stranded animals. Keep a safe distance, keep dogs on a leash, and keep children well clear.
Your cooperation helps ensure the safety of both the public and marine wildlife during this time.

We will provide updates as the situation changes.

09/01/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE - AERIAL FIREFIGHTING

9 January 2026 - 10:15

As fires rage across our region, firefighting choppers are working tirelessly, to douse hotspots with precision to keep our communities safe.

Please stay alert, follow safety instructions, and keep our emergency teams in your thoughts as they battle the blaze from both air and ground.