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NSRI The volunteers, family, friends, supporters and interested parties of Stn 16. Feel free to join us. Without you we are nothing.

This page is dedicated to all the volunteers, family, friends, supporters and interested parties of Stn 16. Stn 16 is a surf rescue station and operates from its base on the Strandfontein beach next to the Pavilion. Despite being constantly sandblasted, blown away or swamped she has stood the test of time and her proud and dedicated crew are always ready to run, jump, swim, drive and launch to the assistance of those in need. We are flanked by Stn 9 (Gordonโ€™s Bay) and Stn 10 (Simons Town) and have often assisted them in more complex operations. Our patrol area is from Muizenberg (Surfers Corner) to Maccassar Beach (Near Strand). This is a wild stretch of the False Bay Coast and due to the lack of development we rely a great deal on the fishermen and local Lifesaving clubs to be our eyes. We would like to extend an open invitation to any interested parties or any of the many volunteers from anywhere in the county to come pay us a visit, we are always at the base on a Sunday from 08h00 to 17h00 for training and duty. Should anyone wish to enquire regarding joining our Station or wanting find out how they can assist, feel free to email us or contact Nicky Whitehead (Station Commander) on 082 990 6753 or Robin Fortuin (Deputy Station Commander) on 079 767 5878 / Arno Constance (Deputy Station Commander) on 084 531 9091. In closing, a huge thank you to all the crew, volunteers and families of NSRI as a whole, especially to the crew of Stn 16 for all the selfless hours and dedication that you all commit to. Stn 16 Rescue Craft:
R16 5.5 RIB - Spirit of Grand West CSI
R16 Alpha Jetrib
R16 Sharon Jetrib
R16 Quad Bike
R16 Delta 4x4
R16 Echo 1800 Jetski
R16 ATV

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.
Hereโ€™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

After nearly two decades in the NSRI fleet, the *Spirit of Vodacom* has a new home.Following a four-month refurbishment ...
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 stationโ€™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 15โ€™s journey to Mossel Bay: https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/09/a-new-chapter-for-the-spirit-of-vodacom-rescue-vessel/

๐Ÿ—ณ๏ธ Our Witbank Dam crew needs your vote!Volunteer crew at NSRI Station 35 Witbank Dam have been named one of 10 finalist...
21/10/2026

๐Ÿ—ณ๏ธ Our Witbank Dam crew needs your vote!

Volunteer crew at NSRI Station 35 Witbank Dam have been named one of 10 finalists for the Peopleโ€™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 Chinaโ€™s Beihai No.1 Rescue Flying Team.

This award isnโ€™t decided by judges. Itโ€™s decided by you. ๐Ÿ’™

๐Ÿ‘‰ 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.

A 48-year-old man from Belgium is expected to be discharged from hospital today after a non-fatal drowning incident at a...
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 betweenโ€ฆ

55 years of service. Two remarkable NSRI journeys.In 1971, Pat van Eyssen and Ian Hamilton began their journeys with the...
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/

https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/10/nsri-richards-bay-monday-19-october-a-man-is-missing/NSRI โ€“ Richards Bay โ€“ Monday, 19 Oc...
19/10/2026

https://www.nsri.org.za/2026/10/nsri-richards-bay-monday-19-october-a-man-is-missing/

NSRI โ€“ Richards Bay โ€“ 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 โ€“ STATION 19, Richards Bay.NSRI โ€“ Richards Bay โ€“ Monday, 19 October. A man is missing: Norman Rautenbach, NSRI Richards Bay station commander,โ€ฆ

In swells of up to 5 metres, NSRI Table Bay crew hoisted a seriously injured seafarer from a 229-metre cargo ship 12 nau...
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 nauticalโ€ฆ

A wonderful time spent at Bergvliet Primary on Friday.
18/10/2026

A wonderful time spent at Bergvliet Primary on Friday.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENSRI โ€“ STATION 16, StrandfonteinNSRI โ€“ Monwabisi โ€“ Monday, 21 September. A man caught in a rip curr...
21/09/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NSRI โ€“ STATION 16, Strandfontein

NSRI โ€“ Monwabisi โ€“ Monday, 21 September. A man caught in a rip current rescued safely:


Nicolette Whitehead, NSRI Strandfontein station commander, said:

At 13h30, Sunday, 20 September, NSRI Strandfontein crew, while conducting routine equipment inspections at the NSRI auxiliary satellite station - at Monwabisi, noticed a man caught in a rip current while swimming.

2 NSRI rescue swimmers, an NSRI Strandfontein rescue swimmer and an NSRI Mdumbi rescue swimmer, visiting NSRI Strandfontein from Coffee Bay, Eastern Cape, launched into the surf, one armed with an NSRI pink rescue buoy.

They reached the casualty in the surf zone and despite extremely strong rip currents they were able to rescue the man safely to the shoreline.

The adult man, from Delft, was medically assessed by NSRI medics and not injured he required no further assistance.

NSRI commend the vigilance and the swift response of the 2 NSRI rescue swimmers for their efforts that contributed to the man's life being saved.

-ENDS-

About the NSRI:
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.
We are unique in South Africa as the only non-profit organisation focusing exclusively on safeguarding lives and livelihoods in South African waters through education, prevention, and rescue operations. We envision a nation where drowning incidents are minimised, ensuring the safety of all.
The NSRI strives to innovate, constantly evolve, and extend our water safety initiatives through empowerment and visibility. Our volunteers are on call 24/7 and are reliant on donations and sponsorships.

Please visit www.nsri.org.za for more information.
NSRI EMERGENCY: 087 094 9774

RELEASED BY


Craig Lambinon
NSRI COMMUNICATIONS

Email: [email protected] | Cell: +27 (0) 82 380 3800 | nsri.org.za

National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is a volunteer organisation that saves lives on South African waters through rescue services and water-safetyโ€ฆ

Training over the last two weeks focused on local knowledge, how different entities like SAMSA & SASAR fit into our stru...
21/09/2026

Training over the last two weeks focused on local knowledge, how different entities like SAMSA & SASAR fit into our structure as well as some Maritime Emergency Care.
Volunteers sacrificing time and energy to upskill themselves and be ready to make a difference when it's needed.

#๐—–๐—ต๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ด๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด๐—Ÿ๐—ถ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ๐˜€

21/09/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NSRI โ€“ STATION 16, Strandfontein

NSRI โ€“ Mnandi โ€“ Sunday, 20 September. 2 men are sadly deceased:


Nicolette Whitehead, NSRI Strandfontein station commander, said:

At 16h40, Sunday, 20 September, NSRI Strandfontein duty crew were activated following reports from CoCT (City of Cape Town) Law Enforcement marine unit of a drowning in progress at S-Bend, near to Mnandi Beach, False Bay.

NSRI rescue swimmers, our NSRI rescue vehicle, the SA Police Service, Cape Town DRM (Disaster Risk Management), Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service, WC Government Health EMS, CoCT Law Enforcement and Law Enforcement marine unit and Life Healthcare response paramedics responded.

Our NSRI rescue craft Rotarian Wares, on the water nearby at the time, diverted to respond to the scene.

On NSRI crew arriving on the scene we found 2 casualties out of the water on the beach where NSRI crew initiated CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts on both males and were joined on the scene by Law Enforcement, rescue services, paramedics and Police.

Despite extensive CPR efforts, after all efforts to resuscitate the 2 males were exhausted, sadly both men were declared deceased by paramedics.

It appears that a group of locals were swimming together in shallow surf when members of the group discovered that 2 males, of their group, were face down in the water and they were recovered to the shore and the alarm was raised.

The bodies of the 2 men, a 37 year old, from Nyanga, and a 42 year old, from Philippi, were taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

Condolences are conveyed to the families of the 2 men.

Police have opened an Inquest docket.


-ENDS-

NSRI EMERGENCY: 087 094 9774

RELEASED BY


Craig Lambinon
NSRI COMMUNICATIONS

Email: [email protected] | Cell: +27 (0) 82 380 3800 | nsri.org.za

Happy Birthday Anton! ๐Ÿฅณ
03/09/2026

Happy Birthday Anton! ๐Ÿฅณ

With season fast approaching, the Stn 16 Trainees are putting in the effort to qualify as crew before our big days are h...
01/09/2026

With season fast approaching, the Stn 16 Trainees are putting in the effort to qualify as crew before our big days are here.

Happy Birthday Dwayne!
30/08/2026

Happy Birthday Dwayne!

Happy happy Birthday Siobhan! May the coming year be an amazing one! ๐Ÿฅณ
24/08/2026

Happy happy Birthday Siobhan! May the coming year be an amazing one! ๐Ÿฅณ

Happy Birthday Arno! May it be a great year ๐Ÿฅณ
20/08/2026

Happy Birthday Arno! May it be a great year ๐Ÿฅณ

Happy Birthday Jason! May this be a great year ๐Ÿฅณ
13/08/2026

Happy Birthday Jason! May this be a great year ๐Ÿฅณ

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Strandfontein Road
Cape Town
7788

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