The NSRI says they’ve attended to multiple incidents around the coastline and on inland waterways over the past few days. This has highlighted an urgent appeal for water users to have safety top of mind, in and around water.
The appeal to recreational water users includes bathers, boaters, paddlers, sailors and fishermen. It was made by the NSRI, Police and Law Enforcement agencies, lifeguards and the Emergency Services.
National Safety Alert and incidents:
On Friday 3 lives were saved by NSRI Gordons Bay who swiftly responded to Koegel Bay following reports of a small boat capsized off-shore with 3 males onboard.
2 NSRI Gordons Bay rescue craft arrived on the scene 3 minutes after the alarm was raised finding 1 person clinging to the upturned hull and 2 people in the water.
They had called a friend to raise the alarm and they were able to set off red distress flares.
READ: A special NSRI message
On Saturday 3 lives were saved by NSRI Bakoven after NSRI Coast watcher’s in Sea Point raised the alarm predicting early that 3 Stand-Up paddle (SUP) boarders on 2 SUPs were at risk of being swept out to sea as wind speeds picked up suddenly. They were about a hundred meters off-shore of Rocklands Beach.
NSRI: Multiple incidents
The fishing vessel Nicolette had also spotted the 3 people on their 2 SUPs being swept out to sea. The fishermen were able to use their fishing vessel to provide them with a Lee from the wind almost a nautical mile off-shore until NSRI Bakoven arrived on the scene.
They were taken to Oceana Power Boat Club where WC Government Health EMS paramedics treated them for hypothermia.
West Coast incident
On the West Coast, between Yzerfontein and Saldanha Bay, NSRI Yzerfontein, NSRI Mykonos and the Transnet National Ports Authority conducted an extensive search operation for 2 people on a pencil racing duck. They had gone missing in the vicinity of Langebaan Lagoon. The duo had been training for the Trans Agulhas when the incident occurred. They were eventually found to have washed into the Saldanha Bay Iron Ore area.
We are appealing to everyone to be safe
We are appealing to boaters, paddlers and sailors to download and use the NSRI RSA SafeTrx smartphone application and wear gear appropriate for the expected weather and water temperatures. At the same time, don’t forget to wear a life jacket and have a referee whistle. Other safety tips include brightly coloured clothing and craft, red distress flares and fully charged cell phones in watertight plastic sleeves.
Don’t forget to let a responsible person know your launch time, route and return time. All involved should have the emergency numbers 112 and 087 094 9774 at the ready to raise the alarm.
READ MORE: Children and water safety
At 01h00 on Sunday, 18 December, NSRI Bakoven and the SA Police Services searched between Camps and Glen Beach where a group of people had earlier entered the water and then reported that one person went missing in the surf.
Police divers are continuing a search at Camps Bay for that 42-year-old female who remains missing.
Lifeguards have intervened in hundreds of cases since the start of December at lifeguard-protected beaches. They have prevented accidents before they occur and they have rescued multiple people who got into difficulties at beaches.
Article: COMPILED BY THE NSRI MEDIA OFFICE
