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

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…

28/09/2026

🌊 A CHANGE OF SCENERY FOR STATION 32! 🌊

This past Saturday, we swapped the ocean for the Ocean Breeze Market Day in Palm Beach, after being invited by the amazing team at High Rock Pub & Grill .

It was a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our assets and equipment, meet members of the local community, and let people see a little more of what Station 32 is all about. 🚑💙

A huge thank you to High Rock Pub & Grill, who had their famous giant filled vetkoeks on sale, with the proceeds generously donated to Station 32. 🙌

And the generosity didn’t stop there! We were delighted to learn that the Ocean Breeze Market organisers also donated the vendor fees from the day to Station 32.

From everyone at Station 32, THANK YOU! Your generosity, support and belief in what we do make a real difference. ❤️

While we were away from the ocean, our members certainly didn’t take the day off! 😎 They spent the day in the High Rock pool, practising and improving their skills through a range of water-related activities. 💦🏊‍♂️

A massive thank you to everyone who supported us, stopped by to say hello, bought a vetkoek, or simply showed their support. We appreciate every bit of it!

Together, we make a difference. 💙🌊

24/09/2026

23/09/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NSRI – STATION 32, Port Edward

NSRI – Port Edward – Wednesday, 23 September. A child is missing:


Kyle Farrell, NSRI Port Edward station commander, said:

At 17h50, Tuesday, 22 September, NSRI Port Edward duty crew were activated following reports from Police Search and Rescue responding to a drowning in progress at Silver Beach, Port Edward.

NSRI rescue swimmers, nearby to the scene at the time, responded. An NSRI rescue swimmer entered the water and initiated free dive search efforts in the vicinity where an 11 year old male grade 6 learner had last been seen in the surf zone after appearing to be caught in rip currents while swimming with fellow learners.

Additional NSRI crew responded to the scene and the NSRI rescue craft Spirit of Santam III was launched conducting extensive search efforts in and beyond the surf zone.

The SA Police Service and Police Search and Rescue - WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Service) attended at the scene assisting in search efforts.

The remaining children, who had been swimming together at the time, were safely out of the water and in the care of guardians.

Despite extensive sea and shoreline search efforts no signs of the missing child were found.

Police Divers - Police Search and Rescue WPDS - are continuing in ongoing search efforts.

It appears that during a secondary school excursion, from Flagsaff, Eastern Cape, a group of learners were swimming together when the 11 year old male appeared to be caught in rip currents and was swept away before disappearing in the surf zone.

The school group and family of the missing child are in the care of Police.

An investigation has been opened by Police.

Thoughts and care are with the family of the missing child, and with the school, 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
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23/09/2026

16/09/2026

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16/09/2026

📍

16/09/2026

Partnerships that embody the meaning of . 🙌🫶 Suzuki vehicles are actively assisting the NSRI's lifeguarding team with more efficient patrols, transporting essential equipment and responding quickly across multiple aquatic environments.

This is how supporting the NSRI’s life-saving operations could see you driving off in your very own Suzuki Jimny: https://hubs.li/Q04x1jHK0

26/08/2026