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…

25/04/2026

Teaching the next generation
On Friday, 24 April our station had the pleasure to host the gr 4 class of Stulting Primary school. Arries taught the learners about water safety, rip currents, CPR, what to do in an emergency situation. We are grateful to show then what NSRI is about & it was so much fun interacting with the learners.

19/04/2026

Doing what we do best - medivac

07/03/2026

to spreading the Christmas joy on the canals. Loving what we do🎅🏻🤶🏻

30/01/2026

Rescue 21 on her way to a medivac

20/01/2026

Doing our bit to help the community with the devastating fires we had that started on 8 Jan and lasted for 7 days!
A big shout out and thanks to the community and volunteers, from donating supplies to fighting the flames. Working together as a team to save properties and minimising the destruction, what a valiant effort.
We salute you.

11/01/2026

09/01/2026

Detailed list of donations needed

09/01/2026

Some of our team at 21 have been responding to call outs at sea and fire fighting on land.
We share this information as it involves all emergency services.
Public are encouraged to drop off donations for the fire fighters at St Francis Bay Fire Station and at 22 Eatery.

Some donations could include
Towels
Non alcoholic face wipes
Lip balm NOT Vaseline (petroleum based)
Eye drops
Energy bars
Water
Rehydration sachets
Burn shield
Heat proof (welding gloves)
N95 masks
A list of needs are detailed on Municipality socials

PUBLIC NOTICE
FIRE UPDATE
9 January 2026 | 17:15

After a gruelling day, our firefighters remain on the ground, working tirelessly to contain and extinguish multiple fires across the region.

The following updates are noted:

Additional air resources have been deployed. Three aircraft are currently providing much-needed aerial support to ground crews.

Sporadic flare-ups continue to occur across affected areas.

The fire at Vlakteplaas remains out of control, with flames reaching significant heights. Two aircraft, together with firefighters on the ground, are actively combating the blaze. Firefighters will continue working through the night at this location.

At the Kromme River, firefighters are actively engaged in containment and suppression efforts under challenging conditions.

The fire at Paradise Beach flared up earlier but has since been brought under control.

The fire at Zuurbron, advancing towards Hankey behind the mountain range, is currently being managed by response teams.

Between Humansdorp and Jeffreys Bay—between the N2 and R102—two firefighting teams, supported by local farmers, are working to contain and extinguish the fire.

Aerial support will continue to douse fires for as long as daylight permits and will resume again at first light tomorrow.

Electricity supply to St Francis Bay, Oyster Bay, and Cape St Francis has been fully restored.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all those who continue to support the firefighting efforts, including farmers, community members, and businesses.

Further updates will be communicated as the situation develops.

09/01/2026

IMPORTANT NOTICE – MARINE ANIMAL STRANDINGS (Kouga Coastline)
Due to the current fire situation in the Kouga area, we ask the public to please use the following contact number for any seal or marine animal strandings along the Kouga coastline until further notice.

📞 Kouga Emergency Contact (today): 067 108 1510
Please do not approach stranded animals. Keep a safe distance, keep dogs on a leash, and keep children well clear.
Your cooperation helps ensure the safety of both the public and marine wildlife during this time.

We will provide updates as the situation changes.

09/01/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE - AERIAL FIREFIGHTING

9 January 2026 - 10:15

As fires rage across our region, firefighting choppers are working tirelessly, to douse hotspots with precision to keep our communities safe.

Please stay alert, follow safety instructions, and keep our emergency teams in your thoughts as they battle the blaze from both air and ground.