The NSRI is urging caution along the coast after another drowning incident and a near-drowning incident in Hermanus and Kleinmond, respectively, on Tuesday afternoon.

A 17-year-old local teenager died near the New Harbour in Hermanus after he got into difficulty while swimming with friends yesterday afternoon.

The NSRI responded just after 1:30 pm and found paramedics performing CPR on the boy along the cliff path. Despite extensive efforts, he was declared dead at the scene.

It’s believed his friends carried him to the cliff path before alerting the authorities.

The body of the teenager was taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services. Police have opened an Inquest docket.

Meanwhile, in Kleinmond, in the vicinity of Main Beach, a 7-year-old boy was transported to hospital following a non-fatal drowning incident.

On arrival on the scene, it was found that the boy was out of the water after nearly drowning in the Kleinmond Lagoon.

The child was medically treated on the scene and taken to hospital by ambulance in a stable condition.

Over the weekend, two people drowned, and a third person was rescued in separate incidents on Saturday afternoon.

In Saldanha Bay, a 14-year-old boy was found semi-submerged in the surf at Tabakbaai after going missing while swimming. He was declared dead on the scene.

In Kleinmond, a 51-year-old Wellington man drowned in the Palmiet Lagoon after friends lost sight of him in the water.

In Struisbaai, an 18-year-old matric learner was saved after NSRI crews spotted her lying face down in the surf during a training session. She was rushed to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The NSRI has pleaded with the public to be extra vigilant along the coast and near water bodies this festive season.