A 9-year-old boy is missing after getting into difficulty in the water at Skulphoek, Hermanus.

NSRI Hermanus duty crew were activated yesterday afternoon, shortly before 13h00, following reports of a drowning in progress.

The NSRI’s Craig Lambinon says it is suspected the boy was playing with friends in shallow surf when the incoming tide swept him away.

NSRI Hermanus dispatched a rescue vehicle and rescue swimmers directly to the scene. WC Government Health EMS and the SA Police Services also responded.

The boy was last seen in the surf in amongst rocks, in the water, along the rocky shoreline.

Lambinon says reports indicate that while playing with friends, with an inflatable lilo and a beach ball in shallow surf during an incoming tide, the boy may have been caught in waves washing over rocks and then caught in rip currents.

Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search there remains no signs of the boy. Police divers are continuing in ongoing search efforts.

It comes as the NSRI warned of the full moon Spring tide which is expected to peak on Saturday.

The organization has called on bathers, boaters, paddlers, sailors, shoreline anglers and coastal hikers to be cautious around the coastline.

The full moon Spring tide causes the daily 2 high tides to be higher than normal and the daily 2 low tides to be lower than normal.