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…

06/10/2026

🎨 ART. FOOD. COMMUNITY. A GREAT CAUSE. 🌊

Join us for a special afternoon at Strandkombuis, where incredible artworks will be auctioned in aid of NSRI Yzerfontein.

Every bid helps support the volunteers who put their lives on the line to save lives at sea. 🚤🌊

🍷 Enjoy an afternoon of art, a delicious harvest table and great company, all while supporting an incredibly important cause.

📅 Saturday, 24 October 2026
⏰ 14:00
📍 Strandkombuis, Yzerfontein
🎟️ R350 pp – includes Harvest Table
🍻 Cash Bar available

Come for the art. Stay for the food. Give back to the people who save lives.

🎟️ Book your tickets now through Junré on +27 72 905 1722 (WhatsApp or call)

Strandkombuis

04/10/2026

NSRI Station 18 | Melkbosstrand heading home after a quick refuel stop in Yzerfontein.

30/09/2026

Good day for a team braai

29/07/2026

Swiftwater & Flood Rescue Training.

This weekend we spent four days on the Breede River learning about and understanding the effects of swift water and flooding, how to safely asses and extract casualties.

A number of stations from the west coast to the east coast, from the Western Cape, were part of this gruelling and valuable few days.

Thanks you to the National Sea Rescue Institute Training Department for the great weekend. Numbers 5 and 19 signing off 🤣.

04/07/2026

🌖 About last night…

🛟 Last night we had the pleasure of making our way to Langebaan and joining up with NSRI Station 4 | Mykonos for a combined training plus a tour of their new base and Reacue 4 😍.

Amazing evening on the water with plenty learnt

20/06/2026

Another valuable scenario training day for our station in near perfect conditions.

From search patterns to practicing our MEC training, we learnt a lot sharpening our problem solving skills we may encounter during a real call out.

06/06/2026

Chartwork to start the day before heading out on some training exercises

15/05/2026

🚨 NSRI STATION 34 FLOOD RESCUES | MALMESBURY - May 12 2026 🚨

🕓 04:57 – NSRI Station 34 was activated to assist with flood rescue and evacuation operations at Kalbaskraal on the Diep River.

4 NSRI volunteers, supported by Swartland Municipality Fire & Rescue, Metro EMS, SAPS, Law Enforcement and Disaster Management, worked through flooded areas to check homes and residents.

✅ 28 people contacted across 18 residences
✅ 2 patients evacuated
✅ 2 dogs and 3 birds brought to safety
🕛 Crews stood down at 12:12

🕔 17:11 – NSRI Station 34 was activated again for a stranded kayaker trapped in dense reeds and fast-flowing floodwaters on the Diep River.

Working alongside SAPS, Swartland Municipality Fire & Rescue and Metro EMS, crews used a JetRIB and support kayak in extremely difficult conditions with repeated engine failures and darkness falling.

🚁 The drone operators, through Malmesbury Veiligheid, played a critical role by locating the kayaker, guiding rescuers through dense reeds and illuminating the safest route back to shore.

✅ 1 kayaker rescued and transported to hospital as a precaution
🕘 Crews returned to base at 21:00

An incredible multi-agency effort under extremely challenging conditions. 👏

11/04/2026

We joined parkrun South Africa to kick off today’s training.