Three water-related incidents on Saturday, 29 November, have sadly claimed the lives of two people, including a 14-year-old, while another teen was rescued, as NSRI crews across the Western Cape responded to emergencies within hours of each other.

In Saldanha Bay, a 14-year-old local boy drowned at Tabakbaai (Danger Bay) after going missing while swimming in the surf zone.

According to NSRI Mykonos deputy station commander Craig McIver, rescue swimmers, a rescue craft, Police Water Policing and Diving Services, and municipal responders conducted extensive sea and shoreline searches.

The teenager was eventually found semi-submerged in the surf and recovered to shore by a Police Sea Borderline Control craft. Paramedics declared him deceased on arrival. His body has been handed over to the police and forensic pathology services. McIver conveyed condolences to the boy’s family and friends.

Earlier the same afternoon, in Kleinmond, a 51-year-old man from Wellington was found dead in the Palmiet Lagoon after disappearing while swimming with friends. The alarm was raised by a woman at the Palmiet Rest Camp who reported that the group had lost sight of him.

NSRI Kleinmond crew, Overstrand emergency services, ER24, WSAR, law enforcement and a Metro EMS drone rescue unit joined the search. Multiple swimmers and divers were deployed, along with an NSRI jetRIB.

The man was eventually located underwater and recovered with the assistance of police divers. He was declared dead at the scene.

Meanwhile, in Struisbaai, NSRI Agulhas crew were conducting routine training when they were alerted to a female teenager lying face down in the water among bathers at Main Beach. Rescue swimmers reached the 18-year-old, from the Robertson/Bonnievale area, and brought her to shore, where they began resuscitation.

She regained breathing and was transported to local doctors before being taken to the hospital by EMS in a serious but stable condition. NSRI officials say she is expected to make a full recovery.

According to deputy station commander Shaun Nortje, the teen had been swimming with friends when several of them got into difficulty. The quick action of an eyewitness and the NSRI crew is credited with saving the young woman’s life.

The NSRI again urged the public to be vigilant around water as summer conditions draw more people to beaches, lagoons and coastal swimming spots.