NSRI

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NSRI Emergency Numbers: 087 094 9774 / 072 903 9572
Station Commander: Bradley Naicker
Deputy Station Commander: Andrew Kruger

Answer your phone… it could be us! 📞🎉This Friday, 16 October, two lucky supporters will get a call they’ll never forget!...
14/10/2026

Answer your phone… it could be us! 📞🎉

This Friday, 16 October, two lucky supporters will get a call they’ll never forget! We'll be announcing the winners of:

🚗 A brand-new Suzuki Jimny 5-door in our second Cars4Good draw.
💰 R150,000 in our second Monthly Giving Grand Prize draw.

Two incredible prizes. Two very happy winners. Could you be one of them? 🤞

Thank you to everyone who has entered. Every Cars4Good and Monthly Giving entry helps us continue building a water-safe nation.

Good luck!

When Graham Howes’ family experienced the devastating loss of someone they loved, the NSRI’s efforts to find him left a ...
14/10/2026

When Graham Howes’ family experienced the devastating loss of someone they loved, the NSRI’s efforts to find him left a lasting impression.

Now, that connection is helping create something that will carry Graham’s name forward.

Spirit of Graham Howes, a Gemini 5.5-metre rescue RIB being built for Station 16 Strandfontein, is expected to join the NSRI fleet later this year.

For a family whose lives were so closely connected to the ocean, it is a meaningful way to honour Graham’s memory: a rescue craft that will head out onto the water with a purpose, helping bring others safely home.

Read Graham’s story and find out more about the vessel being built in his honour: https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/09/in-memory-of-graham-howes-new-rescue-vessel-to-carry-his-legacy/

13/10/2026

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

NSRI Richards Bay volunteer crew assisted two foreign sailing yachts over Sunday and Monday. A British couple needed hel...
13/10/2026

NSRI Richards Bay volunteer crew assisted two foreign sailing yachts over Sunday and Monday. A British couple needed help getting their yacht across a shallow channel to the Zululand Yacht Club in strong winds, and a New Zealand couple were towed to safe moorings after their yacht’s motor failed in the harbour channel. Both crews and their yachts reached safety without incident.

Twenty-four people. Ten countries. One shared goal: preventing drowning.In September, lifesaving leaders from around the...
12/10/2026

Twenty-four people. Ten countries. One shared goal: preventing drowning.

In September, lifesaving leaders from around the world came together at NSRI headquarters in Cape Town for the RNLI’s Leaders in Lifesaving course, co-hosted with the NSRI for the first time.

The week brought together organisations facing different challenges, but many of the same questions: how can we strengthen leadership, share knowledge and find better ways to prevent drowning?

Because the work to save lives does not stop at borders.

Read more about the course and the people working together to make our waters safer:
https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/09/ten-countries-one-goal-preventing-drowning/

Eight years ago, *Alick Rennie* became the first of a new generation of Offshore Rescue Craft to join the NSRI fleet.Tod...
09/10/2026

Eight years ago, *Alick Rennie* became the first of a new generation of Offshore Rescue Craft to join the NSRI fleet.

Today, eight ORCs have been built, with the programme now complete.

The journey represents a significant investment in the future of maritime rescue, giving NSRI crews vessels designed to travel further offshore, operate in challenging conditions, and support increasingly demanding rescue operations.

From the first vessel to the last, the programme has built the capability needed to serve South Africa’s waters for decades to come.

Read the full story behind the fleet renewal programme: https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/09/looking-back-at-the-fleet-renewal-programme-that-began-with-alick-rennie/

Two local men are safe and unhurt after NSRI St Lucia crew brought them ashore from a fishing ski-boat that suffered ste...
09/10/2026

Two local men are safe and unhurt after NSRI St Lucia crew brought them ashore from a fishing ski-boat that suffered steering failure in the surf zone off Ingwe Beach on Monday, 5 October.

NSRI Station 22 Vaal Dam recently had the pleasure of hosting the South African Scouts at our base for a water safety tr...
24/08/2026

NSRI Station 22 Vaal Dam recently had the pleasure of hosting the South African Scouts at our base for a water safety training session. This initiative forms part of the station's mission to promote a strong water safety culture through collaboration with NSRI Community Programmes. By engaging with young people and equipping them with essential safety knowledge, we continue to contribute towards safer communities around our waterways.
As a Non-profit organisation made up of over 1500 volunteers , NSRI relies on dedicated community members to help save lives and promote water safety. If you are passionate about serving your community, developing new skills, and making a meaningful difference, we encourage you to consider joining our volunteer team. Together, we can build a safer future on and around the water.

12/08/2026

Raging floodwaters spare no one and can wash away entire livelihoods in a matter of minutes. Our Kleinmond volunteers battled for hours to pull 23 people to safety, but the tragic loss of three lives remains a heavy burden.

Hear the raw account directly from the rescuers who lived it.

Watch the video and read the full article here: https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/07/a-flood-
rescue-told-by-the-volunteers-who-lived-it/

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?

Address

19 Waverley Road
Deneysville
1932

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