On Thursday, NSRI Gordons Bay duty crew saved a 60-year-old man whose surfski had snapped in half while he was paddling, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Also read: NSRI recovers body of second drowning victim in Victoria Bay incident
At 9:14am, the NSRI’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) determined that the man was drifting away from the shore after his surfski had snapped in half off-shore of Die Poort, Strand.
NSRI Gordons Bay duty crew responded to the NSRI Gordons Bay station 9 rescue base where the NSRI rescue craft Zelda was launched.
They were accompanied by the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter, NSRI Gordons Bay rescue swimmers, WC Government Health EMS rescue squad, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, the SA Police Services and CoCT Law Enforcement.
Despite four-metre high sea swells, strong winds and no visuals of the man, the NSRI rescue craft was able to locate the man using the NSRI SafeTrx locating beacon.
After successfully recovering him, it was determined that the man had some lacerations to his hand and was hypothermic. He was brought to the NSRI Gordons Bay satellite station where he was treated for hypothermia.
‘While the man has shown appreciation to NSRI and the emergency services for their swift response, he has been commended for using NSRI’s SafeTrx smartphone application that made a significant contribution to the swift rescue,’ the NSRI said in a statement.
‘NSRI are appealing to boaters, sailors and paddlers, to download and always use the free NSRI SafeTrx smartphone application when launching to go to sea.’
Also read:
NSRI warns of spring tide after busy weekend with several rescues
