NSRI

23/10/2026

🌊 TRAINING TODAY. RESCUE TOMORROW. 🚤

Building skills, improving readiness, and keeping people safe.

Our last weekends training programme focused on strengthening practical skills and operational readiness through a combination of theory, land-based training, and on-water exercises.

We covered:

🪁 Kite Surfer Rescue – Understanding kite surfers, their equipment, and rescue techniques.

🪢 Rope Work & Mooring – Developing essential rope-handling and mooring skills.

🚤 Practical Training – Task book assessments and rock work.

🆘 Search and Rescue (SAR) – A coordinated exercise involving the control room, two assets, and drift buoy deployment.

Every session is an opportunity to learn, improve, and build confidence as a team. By identifying weaknesses and working on them together, we strengthen our ability to respond effectively when it matters most.

Train with purpose. Work as a team. Be ready to respond.

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

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…

17/10/2026

A gift celebrating a couple’s wedding anniversary. A tribute to a mother who quietly supported sea rescue. A husband’s thank you to the wife who helped…

14/10/2026

13/10/2026

⚓🔥 EARNED. NOT GIVEN. | CLASS III COXSWAIN

The surf doesn’t care how hard you’ve trained. It doesn’t give second chances. And it certainly doesn’t hand out qualifications.

It takes grit, determination, countless hours on the water and the ability to make split-second decisions when it matters most.

Kyle has stepped up, put in the work and proven he has what it takes!

We are incredibly proud to announce that Kyle Reeves has officially qualified as a NSRI CLASS III SURF RESCUE COXSWAIN! 🌊🚤

This qualification isn’t just about driving a rescue vessel through the surf. It’s about leadership, responsibility, sound judgement and having the lives of your crew in your hands.

The hours were long. The challenges were real. The qualification was earned.

Congratulations, Kyle! Your hard work and commitment have paid off. The crew of NSRI Station 18 – Melkbosstrand are incredibly proud of you!

11/10/2026

🚙 A BIG THANK YOU TO MITSUBISHI MOTORS! 🙌

A huge thank you to Mitsubishi Motors for their generous sponsorship and contribution towards our NSRI Station 18 4x4 Day!

Your continued support and commitment to our station play an important role in making events like these a success.

We truly appreciate your ongoing partnership and willingness to support our fundraising initiatives, helping us continue doing what we do best – Saving Lives, Changing Lives. ❤️⚓

06/10/2026

⚓ REGION 7 | JOINT TRAINING WEEKEND

A weekend of training, teamwork and shared experience across Region 7! 🌊🚑

Crews from Stations 4, 18, 24, 34, 43 and 44 came together for a joint training weekend, putting their skills to the test through a combination of land- and sea-based exercises, together with medical training supported by West Coast Medical Rescue.

Joint exercises like these allow our crews to learn from one another, strengthen inter-station teamwork and prepare for situations where multiple rescue resources need to work together.

A huge thank you to Station 4 for hosting us and to everyone who contributed to making the weekend possible.

Different stations. One team. One purpose.⚓💙

01/10/2026

🚙 4X4 DAY | 5 SEPTEMBER 2026 🚙

Sand, dunes, 4x4s and an incredible day of support for NSRI Station 18 Melkbosstrand! ⚓

A huge thank you to Koeberg Nature Reserve for opening their gates and allowing us to experience this incredible part of the West Coast, and to the Land Cruiser Club for once again sharing their time, knowledge and experience to help make the day possible.

To all of our sponsors — thank you for getting behind our station and supporting the event. Your generosity and contributions played a huge part in making the day the success that it was.

And, of course, to every participant who joined us — thank you for showing up, getting stuck into the dunes and supporting our volunteer rescue crew!

Events like these simply aren’t possible without the people and organisations who support us.

🚙💨 From all of us at Station 18 — thank you for an unforgettable 4x4 Day!

26/09/2026

⚓ CLASS IV PROGRAMME | FULL MOCK ASSESSMENT

Today our trainee coxswains were put through their paces with a full mock assessment designed to mirror the demands of their upcoming assessments.

From surf work and one-on-one theory testing to a written exam, the day was all about identifying where they stand, sharpening their skills and preparing for assessment day. 🌊💪

A big thank you to the trainee coxswains from Stations 18, 24 and 34 for the time and effort put into preparing for the day, and to the coxswains and crew of Station 18 for putting it all together and making it happen.

24/09/2026

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.

21/09/2026

🚙 READY ON LAND. READY AT SEA. 🚜

Training doesn’t start at the water’s edge.

Our crew hit the land to build the skills and fitness needed to get our crew and rescue craft safely where they need to be.

🏖️ 4x4 soft-sand driving skills
🚜 Tractor driving
⚠️ Precaution skills training
🏃 Land-based fitness

From navigating soft sand to safely launching our rescue craft, every skill counts when the call comes.

Train hard. Stay ready. Respond.