Coastal Water Rescue

30/05/2026

The Coastal Water Rescue squad responded to a call at 01:08 this morning following reports that a vehicle had gone off the road into the water just off the N2 near the Kempston Road turnoff.

First members on scene met with the team from Netcare 911, where the vehicle was found partly in shallow water. The vehicle had been travelling east on the N2 when it left the road and ended up in this location.

Netcare 911 confirmed that they had checked and there was nobody in or near the vehicle. CWR squad members checked and confirmed this, and a stand-down was given to other responding squad members.

26/05/2026

The Coastal Water Rescue squad responded to Hobie Beach at 18:48 on Monday 25 May 2026 following reports of a person in distress who jumped from the pier.

On arrival, although several witnesses came forward with information, there were no eyewitness reports from anybody witnessing the individual either going into the water or jumping from the pier.

Squad members were joined by crew from NSRI Station 6, SAPS K9 Search & Rescue, and the NSRI vessel Rescue 6A responded from the harbour. A search of the immediate area below the pier and a water search by Rescue 6A had no results.

At about 19:45, a local fisherman reported a sighting in shallow water about 200m from the pier, where the body of the deceased was found and recovered.

17/05/2026

Training at Kings Beach earlier today, we took the ARK Inflatables Rescue Croc out for some practice.

17/05/2026

CPR practice on Kings Beach earlier today.

17/05/2026

The CWR squad can have the Ark Inflatables Rescue Croc in the water within 5 minutes of arriving on any scene. The Ingco pump does the heavy lifting in just 60 seconds, followed by another 60 seconds on the hand pump to top up the pressure. That's a win — great product by Ingco South Africa

16/05/2026

The Coastal Water Rescue squad was activated to respond to the Swartkops River N2 bridge at 08:58 earlier today, 16 May 2026, following reports of a vehicle that left the road, went over the bridge and was in the water.

On arrival, we received more info that there was a single casualty who was ejected from the vehicle, but to confirm, CWR swimmers were sent into the water to ensure the vehicle was empty.

Gardmed Ambulance Service attended to the casualty, while CWR squad members remained on scene. The EMS Rescue was on scene and provided a Stokes basket to secure the casualty, and then rigged a rope and pulley system as the area next to the bridge was very steep.

Once the casualty was stabilised for movement by Gardmed Ambulance Service, the CWR team assisted with carrying the Stokes to the nearest point where the ropes were ready. The EMS Rescue crew then slowly pulled the Stokes up the hill where Gardmed continued with medical care.

Precision Tow-In Services Port Elizabeth had to recover the vehicle, and CWR squad members again went to assist to ensure the safety of the Precision Towing staff in the water while the vehicle was being hooked up for hoisting out of the river.

05/05/2026

Take note!

03/05/2026

The squad visited Pollok Beach earlier today for doing some reel training.

03/05/2026

20/04/2026

Yesterday we had our regular training session, and thanks to Clarendon Park Primary School we were able to miss the traffic and do a pool session, followed by practising signals. Even though we mostly use radios now (yes, even our swimmers do), the squad must be able to fall back to hand signals at any time, as equipment can fail.