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

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

APPRECIATION POST

A huge thank you to Karoo Taxidermy in Graaff-Reinet for sponsoring and making custom first aid bags for our NSRI Station 11 assets! 🚤

We truly appreciate your generosity and support in helping us stay prepared to save lives! 🙌

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…

08/10/2026

🌊 24 HOURS FOR STATION 11! 🏊‍♀️💙

One of our own crew members, Jané, is taking on an incredible personal challenge — swimming for 24 hours to raise funds for NSRI Station 11!

On 13 & 14 November, Jané will be taking to East Beach and Kelly’s Beach in Port Alfred, swimming to support the lifesaving work of our station and the volunteers who are on call 24/7.

This challenge is especially meaningful to Jané as she dedicates the swim to her late grandfather, Oupa Kuggie.

We’re incredibly proud to support Jané in this amazing initiative and would love for our community to get behind her too!

If you’d like to support her and Station 11, you can find out more and donate here:

👉 https://www.givengain.com/project/jane-raising-funds-for-nsri-national-sea-rescue-institute-131923

Go Jané! We’ll be behind you every stroke of the way! 🌊💙

05/10/2026

Sea you there? 😉⛳️

⛳🚤 Tee Off for Sea Rescue🚤⛳

The NSRI Port Alfred Annual Golf Day is back, and we’d love to see you there!

📅 Friday, 9 October 2026
📍 Royal Port Alfred Golf Club

Gather your fourball, enjoy a fantastic day out and help support the lifesaving work of the NSRI.

For just R350 per player, you’ll receive:
🏌️ A round of golf (Betterball stableford format)
👕 A free golf shirt
🎁 A goodie bag

If you’d like to get involved in donating prizes or sponsoring a hole, please email [email protected]. Every little bit helps!

📞 Bookings: Royal Port Alfred Golf Club
046 624 4796

26/09/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NSRI – STATION 11, PORT ALFRED

NSRI – KENTON-ON-SEA – Saturday, 26 September. A man is deceased:


Aiden Wood, NSRI Port Alfred coxswain, said:

At 10h04, Friday, 25 September, NSRI Port Alfred duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress at Kenton-On-Sea middle beach.

NSRI rescue swimmers from our NSRI Port Alfred station 11 rescue base and from our NSRI auxiliary satellite station, at Kenton-On-Sea, our NSRI rescue vehicle, the SA Police Service, Gardmed ambulance service, Hitech Security and Coastal Kindness members responded.

While responding to the scene it was reported that a male had been rescued from the surf zone to the beach, by 3 Good Samaritans, where bystander CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts were in progress.

On arrival on the scene we found CPR in progress with an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) in use at a male patient, age 32, from Cape Town.

Paramedics and NSRI crew continued with advanced life support CPR but after all efforts to resuscitate the man were exhausted sadly the man was declared deceased.

The body of the man has been taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

Police have opened an Inquest docket.

According to reports the man was body boarding when he appeared to get into difficulties. The alarm was raised by eyewitnesses while 3 Good Samaritans, 2 males and a female, using 2 NSRI pink rescue buoys, were able to rescue the man from the water and bystander CPR was commenced on the beach.

Condolences are conveyed to family of the deceased man.

-ENDS-
NSRI EMERGENCY: 087 094 9774

RELEASED BY


Craig Lambinon
NSRI COMMUNICATIONS

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

National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is a volunteer organisation that saves lives on South African waters through rescue services and water-safety…

10/09/2026

A huge thank you to Edge Financial Group for their incredibly generous donation of R25 000, presented last night at their 25th Birthday Celebration! 🎉

The donation was received on our behalf by Juan Pretorius.

Congratulations to Edge Financial Group on 25 years of success, and thank you for your kindness, generosity and continued support. 🙏

03/09/2026

A huge congratulations to Shannen Kethro!🎉

Shannen was appointed as a Class 3 Trainee Coxswain at last nights training, a proud moment for Station 11.

We wish you all the best on this exciting and challenging new journey. We know you’ll take it on with dedication and determination!

Well done, Shannen! ⚓️

02/09/2026

⛳🚤 Tee Off for Sea Rescue🚤⛳

The NSRI Port Alfred Annual Golf Day is back, and we’d love to see you there!

📅 Friday, 9 October 2026
📍 Royal Port Alfred Golf Club

Gather your fourball, enjoy a fantastic day out and help support the lifesaving work of the NSRI.

For just R350 per player, you’ll receive:
🏌️ A round of golf (Betterball stableford format)
👕 A free golf shirt
🎁 A goodie bag

If you’d like to get involved in donating prizes or sponsoring a hole, please email [email protected]. Every little bit helps!

📞 Bookings: Royal Port Alfred Golf Club
046 624 4796

24/08/2026

🌊 JOIN OUR SEA RESCUE FAMILY 🌊

NSRI Station 11 Port Alfred is opening applications for our new volunteer intake! 🚤

We are looking for passionate people from Port Alfred, Kenton-on-Sea and Bushmans to join our team in a variety of roles:

🌊 Sea-going crew – get involved in operations on the water
🛟 Land-based crew – play a vital role in supporting our rescue operations from shore
🤝 Fundraising Committee – help us raise the funds that keep our station equipped and operational

You don’t need to have all the answers or experience to get started — what matters is your commitment, willingness to learn, teamwork and desire to serve your community.

📍 Port Alfred | Kenton-on-Sea | Bushmans
📧 To apply, email [email protected]
📅 Applications close 28 August 2026

Come join the crew. Learn new skills. Make a difference. Save lives. 🌊🚤

14/08/2026

🎉Exciting News Alert 🎉

We have officially broken ground in Kenton-on-Sea for our new NSRI satellite station! 🌊🚤

This is an incredibly exciting milestone for us and a huge step forward in strengthening our ability to respond to emergencies and keep our local waters and community safe.

A very special thank you to Rotary Club of Kenton on Sea for all the effort, support and work that has gone into making this project possible. We truly appreciate your commitment to our community and to Sea Rescue. 💙

And a heartfelt thank you to Juan Pretorius for your dedication, hard work and the role you have played in bringing this vision to life. Your continued commitment to NSRI and our community does not go unnoticed. 🙏

We are so excited to see this project take shape and look forward to sharing the journey with you!

Here’s to a new chapter for NSRI in Kenton-on-Sea! 🌊