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/

02/10/2026

Congratulations Robert van Helsdingen on receiving your 25 year service award!

22/09/2026

One of our very own from Station 23! 👏

21/08/2026

GEORGE NEWS - A Wilderness surfer who...

17/08/2026

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - A couple who went...

25/07/2026

Celebrating World Drowning Prevention Day as a crew with all our friends at Metro Rescue, ER24, AMS and George Fire and Rescue 💙 it takes an entire community to save a life, and we’re privileged to serve alongside the best!

24/06/2026

GEORGE NEWS - The National Sea Rescue...

02/04/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NSRI – STATION 23, Wilderness. STATION 15, Mossel Bay

NSRI – Herolds Bay – Thursday, 2 April. A man is missing:


Jonathan Britton, NSRI Wilderness station commander, said:

At 20h47, Wednesday, 1 April, NSRI Wilderness and NSRI Mossel Bay duty crews were activated following reports of a local fisherman reportedly swept off rocks by waves in the vicinity of Voelklip, Herolds Bay, while shoreline angling.

NSRI rescue swimmers, from both NSRI rescue stations, responded.

NSRI crew responded to the NSRI Mossel Bay station 15 rescue base and launched the NSRI rescue craft St Blaise Rescuer.

NSRI Wilderness crew, at the NSRI Wilderness station 23 rescue base at the time, launched the NSRI rescue craft Spirit of Rotary.

NSRI rescue vehicles, from both NSRI rescue stations, responded, while the SA Police Services, WC Government Health EMS and George Fire and Rescue Services were activated and responded.

On arrival on the scene a search commenced for a local man, age 70, reportedly swept off rocks while shoreline angling during the turn of the Spring low tide.

An EMS rescue drone unit was deployed in an aerial search.

CPF (George Community Police Forum) members attended at the scene deploying a drone assisting in search efforts.

Police divers (Police WPDS - Water Policing and Diving Services) were activated and attended at the scene

NSRI rescue craft conducted search efforts extending to beyond the back breakers in calm seas while shoreline search efforts continued.

White illuminating flares were deployed to assist in the search.

Fishing gear belonging to the missing man was located and recovered from the water during search efforts.

Despite extensive air, sea and shoreline search efforts there remains no signs of the missing man.

Police divers are continuing in ongoing search efforts.

NSRI lifeguards, on duty on Thursday and over the Easter Weekend, are tasked to keep a lookout.

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

-ENDS-

NSRI EMERGENCY: 087 094 9774

RELEASED BY


Craig Lambinon
NSRI COMMUNICATIONS

Email: [email protected] | Cell: +27 (0) 82 380 3800 | nsri.org.za

02/04/2026

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is encouraging anyone heading to the coast this Easter weekend to be extra cautious during the upcoming full moon spring tide, which peaks on Thursday, 2 April.

Spring tides bring higher high tides, lower low tides, and stronger currents. This can increase the risk of rip currents, make certain coastal paths inaccessible, and create more hazardous conditions for swimmers, anglers, and hikers.

If you’re planning to spend time near the water:

Swim at beaches with lifeguards and stay between the flags
Be aware of rip currents, especially later in the day
Keep a close eye on children at all times
Avoid alcohol when swimming or near the water
Wear life jackets when boating, paddling, or fishing from rocks

It’s also a good idea to check weather forecasts and tide times before heading out.

By taking a few simple precautions, we can all enjoy the coastline safely over the long weekend.

Emergency number: 087 094 9774