NSRI

NSRI Emergency no: 079 916 0390 Weekly training takes place on Sunday mornings between 08:00 and 13:00.

If you are interested in joining, please visit us on a Sunday morning and come and introduce yourself.

02/09/2026

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

Thanks to Charles Booysen for the photograph of the whale breaching during the rescue of the paddler off Simon’s Town.

01/09/2026

At 15h13 on Monday, 31 August, NSRI Durban duty crew and the KZN Surf Rescue network were activated after eyewitnesses reported a man in distress on the Umgeni River, being swept upstream between the two roadway bridges on the incoming tide. NSRI Durban rescue swimmers, eThekwini Municipal lifeguards, eThekwini Municipal Coastal Water members and Netcare 911 responded. https ://www.nsri.org.za/2026/09/nsri-durban-good-samaritans-rescue-man-swept-up-umgeni-river/

There is a quiet beauty in the moments just before a rescue crew begins their day. Congratulations to Melodie Herrmann f...
31/08/2026

There is a quiet beauty in the moments just before a rescue crew begins their day. Congratulations to Melodie Herrmann for capturing this stunning sunrise at Granger Bay and winning our July Photo of the Month. We want to see our volunteers and rescue bases through your eyes.

Submit your best photos and read the entry details here: https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/07/photo-of-the-month-july-2026/

26/08/2026

🐋 A heartbreaking dwarf s***m whale stranding near Jeffreys Bay

On the morning of 13th of August, a young whale was reported stranded alive at Kabeljous near Jeffreys Bay.

The local NSRI Station 37, first responders on behalf of Bayworld, sent through photographs and videos. Although initially reported as a dolphin, Bayworld staff identified the animal as a dwarf s***m whale.

The young whale was stabilised on the beach while Bayworld biologists and veterinary staff from Oribi Animal Clinic assessed its condition. Unfortunately, it had injuries to its lower jaw and was very young, likely still dependent on its mother. The whale was reported to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), who gave for it to be euthanised to prevent further suffering.

Dr Sibu Ngqulana and Mfundo Kanana from Bayworld conducted a necropsy.

But the story became even more heartbreaking.

NSRI Station 37 was notified of another dwarf s***m whale stranded a few kilometres further along the coast towards the Gamtoos River Mouth. This time, they found a much larger animal that was already deceased.

The second animal was an adult female, and given the timing and proximity of the two strandings, it is highly likely that she was the mother of the calf.

During her necropsy, she was also found to be pregnant.

Interestingly, adult female dwarf and pygmy s***m whales can be pregnant and lactating at the same time. A similar situation was documented following a mother-and-calf stranding in Mossel Bay earlier this year.

Dwarf s***m whales are a relatively little-studied species, which makes strandings like these incredibly valuable from a research perspective. The Bayworld team was able to collect important samples and record valuable biological data during the necropsies, adding to the research collection and helping us learn more about this elusive species.

While the outcome of these strandings was incredibly sad, the information collected from these animals will hopefully help us better understand their biology, ecology and the challenges they face in our waters.

A huge thank you to NSRI Station 37, Oribi Animal Clinic and DFFE, as well as everyone involved in the Bayworld response, assessment, necropsies and collection of scientific samples.

Even in the saddest strandings, there is still something we can learn. 🐋💙

24/08/2026

A Week of Lifesaving Missions: Every week, our volunteer rescue crews answer the call 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.

Preparing for the call: Introduction to Maritime Emergency Care.Sunday training at Station 37 focused on a critical pill...
23/08/2026

Preparing for the call: Introduction to Maritime Emergency Care.

Sunday training at Station 37 focused on a critical pillar of operational readiness: Maritime Emergency Care (MEC).

Both our current crew and candidate trainees spent the day diving into the fundamentals of emergency medical discipline in a maritime setting. Managing medical emergencies at sea presents unique operational challenges—from stabilizing casualties in a moving vessel to operating in tight, high-stress environments.

Today's session served as a practical introduction and refresher, ensuring our team builds the foundational skills, muscle memory, and confidence required ahead of their formal MEC courses and assessments.

Continuous preparation is what ensures our response is sharp, coordinated, and effective when every minute counts.

21/08/2026

What a wonderful visit from the pupils, parents and teachers at Whale Ofa Time Playschool!

Looking forward to having these youngsters join us as crew one day!

Inspiring the next generation: Whale of a Time Playschool visits Station 37! 🌊🐳We had the absolute privilege of hosting ...
21/08/2026

Inspiring the next generation: Whale of a Time Playschool visits Station 37! 🌊🐳

We had the absolute privilege of hosting 36 energetic pupils, parents, and teachers from Whale of a Time Playschool at the station this morning.

Our crew loved showing the little ones around, sharing what we do, giving them a close-up look at our rescue craft, and teaching them some essential water safety tips.

A big baie dankie to Louise Potgieter, the staff, and the parents for bringing the group over. Seeing the excitement and curious eyes of our young community members makes days like today truly special!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENSRI – STATION 21, St Francis Bay. STATION 37, Jeffreys Bay.NSRI – St Francis Bay – Friday, 14 Augu...
14/08/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NSRI – STATION 21, St Francis Bay. STATION 37, Jeffreys Bay.

NSRI – St Francis Bay – Friday, 14 August. A maritime medical evacuation operation:


Kristo Kritzinger, NSRI Jeffreys Bay station commander, said:

At 14h00, on Thursday, 13 August, NSRI St Francis Bay duty crew and crew of NSRI Jeffreys Bay were alerted to prepare for a maritime medical evacuation operation following a request for medical assistance from a local fishing trawler heading towards St Francis Bay from deep sea, expected to be offshore of St Francis Bay at 18h00.

An adult Russian man, onboard the fishing trawler, suffered a medical condition, requiring a transfer to hospital.

At 17h00, NSRI St Francis Bay crew, crew of NSRI Jeffreys Bay, and Relay ambulance services, responded to the NSRI St Francis Bay station 21 rescue base where the NSRI rescue craft Spirit of St Francis III was launched at 17h30, accompanied by NSRI MEX (Maritime Extrication) crew and 2 Relay EMS rescue paramedics.

We rendezvoused with the fishing trawler offshore of St Francis Bay were NSRI MEX crew and Relay EMS rescue paramedics were transferred onboard the vessel.

The patient, in a stable condition, walking wounded, was transferred onto our rescue craft and in the care of the Relay EMS paramedics he was brought to our rescue base without incident.

The patient was transported to hospital by Relay EMS ambulance in a stable condition.

In the care of doctors and nurses the patient is expected to make a full recovery.

The operation was completed at 18h25.

NSRI commend the cooperation of the local fishing trawler and her crew during this successful maritime medical evacuation operation.

-ENDS-

About the NSRI:
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is a registered non-profit organisation that is committed to drowning prevention and focused on saving lives, changing lives and creating futures for those threatened by drowning in South Africa.
We are unique in South Africa as the only non-profit organisation focusing exclusively on safeguarding lives and livelihoods in South African waters through education, prevention, and rescue operations. We envision a nation where drowning incidents are minimised, ensuring the safety of all.
The NSRI strives to innovate, constantly evolve, and extend our water safety initiatives through empowerment and visibility. Our volunteers are on call 24/7 and are reliant on donations and sponsorships.

Please visit www.nsri.org.za for more information.
NSRI EMERGENCY: 087 094 9774

RELEASED BY


Craig Lambinon
NSRI COMMUNICATIONS

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

A massive thank you to the team at Fountains Shell and SPAR for their ongoing support and monthly fuel donation to Stati...
27/07/2026

A massive thank you to the team at Fountains Shell and SPAR for their ongoing support and monthly fuel donation to Station 37!

Fuel is a vital operational requirement for our sea rescue craft and rescue vehicles, directly enabling us to conduct regular patrols, continuous crew training, and rapid emergency responses whenever a call comes in. Generous, consistent contributions like this keep our boats on the water and our crew ready to respond 24/7.

We deeply appreciate your continued commitment to helping us keep the local community safe at sea!

When a call came in to Station 37 regarding an injured penguin on the beach at Paradise Beach, our crew jumped into acti...
21/07/2026

When a call came in to Station 37 regarding an injured penguin on the beach at Paradise Beach, our crew jumped into action to safely capture the little guy and transport him straight to Oribi Animal Hospital .

Upon arrival, the team at Oribi gave him immediate care, taking X-rays, cleaning a deep wound on his back, and administering crucial electrolytes to get his strength back up. Realizing he needed specialized rehabilitation, they reached out to Martins Express, who had previously offered to help any local wildlife in need. Without missing a beat, Martins Express dispatched a driver to collect the penguin and safely transport him to SANCCOB in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) completely free of charge.

Thanks to the incredible team at Sanccob Saves Seabirds, the penguin successfully underwent a procedure for his back injury. He is now resting comfortably and well on the road to recovery under their expert care!

A massive thank you to every single roleplayer involved from our crew to Oribi Animal Hospital, Martins Express, and SANCCOB. It’s heartening to see our community come together so seamlessly to give our coastal wildlife a fighting chance.

Get well soon, little guy!

The past few days have brought major milestones for one of our dedicated crew members, and we would like the community t...
03/07/2026

The past few days have brought major milestones for one of our dedicated crew members, and we would like the community to join us in celebrating Lesley Zonnekein.

First, a massive congratulations to Lesley for successfully passing his Coxswain Class IV assessment this past weekend. Attaining a coxswain qualification is a rigorous achievement that requires years of dedication, intensive sea time, and exceptional leadership under pressure. Lesley is now officially qualified to take command of our rescue craft, a vital step forward for our station's operational strength.

To add to the celebrations, Lesley is also celebrating his birthday today!

Lesley, thank you for your unwavering commitment, your countless hours of volunteer service, and your leadership on the water. We hope you have an excellent day and a fantastic year ahead at the helm.

Congratulations, Captain! ⚓🎂

When our station gate motor was recently stolen, compromising the security of our base, the Jeffreys Bay community didn'...
26/06/2026

When our station gate motor was recently stolen, compromising the security of our base, the Jeffreys Bay community didn't hesitate to step in and restore our operational readiness. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the local businesses and individuals who generously provided their time, equipment, and support to get us secure again.

Our gratitude goes out to:

Burri from ToVerify, who generously donated the replacement motor and took care of the entire installation process.

Cliff from Weldrite, for manufacturing and installing the necessary heavy-duty security brackets and extra security measures to protect the new unit.

Fred from Die Viswijf, for keeping the team fueled by providing lunch packs for everyone working on the installation.

The swift response from Burri, Cliff, and Fred ensured our station remained fully secure without impacting our emergency response capabilities. Thank you for looking after your local sea rescue station.

Applications for the NSRI Station 37 volunteer trainee intake are closing this week.​This is your final opportunity to a...
17/05/2026

Applications for the NSRI Station 37 volunteer trainee intake are closing this week.

​This is your final opportunity to apply to join our team. We are looking for mature, settled residents who are permanently based in Jeffreys Bay and are ready to make a serious, long-term commitment to the safety of our coastline.
​Why join the crew?

​Professional-Level Training: Successful applicants will receive comprehensive, high-level training in maritime operations, Search and Rescue (SAR) methodology, and advanced medical care.
​Community Service: You will become part of a disciplined, volunteer-run emergency service dedicated to protecting the people and visitors of Jeffreys Bay.

​If you have the stability, the time, and the drive to maintain a 24-hour response capability, do not miss the deadline.

​How to apply:
Scan the QR code on our flyer or click the link below to complete the application form today.

​Application Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfwzdw4312xMO8iX0OuxutU6pV4cuKdD8ZHE5K9mkDIdTiUAQ/viewform?usp=header

​Please note: Accepted applicants will be contacted directly to schedule a formal interview at the station.

Address

Diaz Road, Just Behind The Ski-boat Club
Jeffrey's Bay
6330

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