NSRI

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NSRI Sea Rescue is the charity that saves lives on South African waters. Donations and sponsorships cover our annual running cost of R73.4m. NPO Reg. No. 002-870
Co.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is run by over 1 000 highly skilled, unpaid volunteers who are on standby day and night throughout the year. The volunteers save us a salary bill in excess of R250m per annum. We have 31 bases around the coast; 4 are on inland dams, a fleet of 96 rescue craft, 38 rescue vehicles, 16 quad bikes and 11 tractors. We also have access to a range of helicopters. We enjoy a good working relationship with other emergency services and we believe that it is through team effort that lives are saved. The NSRI education arm, called WaterWise Academy, teaches children what to do in an emergency and gives them the confidence to initiate basic bystander CPR while they wait for the ambulance to arrive. The WaterWise Academy targets disadvantaged youth, because statistically they are the most at risk (South African Medical Research Council, 2006). Our technical experts, our auditors and our board of Directors are also all unpaid volunteers. NSRI has an open book policy and our financial statements are available from the National State Library in Pretoria for your convenience. A copy of our financial statements and/or Articles of Association are available on request. Reg. No. 1967/013618/08
VAT Reg. No. 4920114818
Head Office: 1 Glengariff Road, Three Anchor Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
Postal: PO Box 154, Green Point, 8051
Tel: +27 21 434 4011 (office not emergency)
Fax: +27 21 434 1661
Email: [email protected]
After hours:
Emergency: Call 112 from your cell phone. or Craig Lambinon 082 380 3800

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:

đźš— A brand-new Suzuki Jimny 5-door in our second Cars4Good draw.
đź’° 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.

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

21/08/2026

GEORGE NEWS - A Wilderness surfer who...

17/08/2026

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - A couple who went...

Celebrating World Drowning Prevention Day as a crew with all our friends at Metro Rescue, ER24, AMS and George Fire and ...
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

Address

Wilderness
6560

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