Two men, an Austrian kiteboarder and a Capetonian, were rescued by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in two separate incidents yesterday.
Also read: Belgian tourist and local fisherman rescued by NSRI
Just before 2pm on Monday, NSRI rescue swimmers and Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services responded to a request for assistance for a man reported to be having difficulty in the water at Hout Bay Harbour.
On arrival, the team noted that the man suffered from a medical condition, which caused him to fall into the water. He was reportedly rescued by a friend, who used a fishing gaff to hook his arm and get him safely out of the water.
The man was stabilised by paramedics on the scene and treated for hypothermia and his medical condition, after which he was transported to the hospital.
It is expected that he will make a full recovery.
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Later, at around 7:28pm, an NSRI coast watcher alerted the NSRI Bakoven duty crew of a kiteboarder appearing to be in difficulty off-shore of Camps Bay.
The man had deflated his kite and appeared to be attempting to swim towards Whale Rock.
The NSRI shore crew and coast watcher kept an eye on him while the NSRI Bakoven rescue craft Gemini Legend and the NSRI Table Bay rescue craft Rescue 3 were launched.
According to the NSRI, a member of the public, using a stand-up paddle board, launched into the surf at Camps Bay in an attempt to assist the kiteboarder.
The NSRI rescue craft stood by about 50 metres off-shore Whale Rock at the peak of the new moon spring tide.
At this time, two NSRI rescue swimmers were deployed into the water. When they reached the man on Whale Rock, it was found that he was not injured, apart from suffering from mild hypothermia and minor lacerations to his feet.
He was brought to the NSRI Bakoven rescue station, where he received first aid treatment for the minor lacerations and abrasions sustained to his feet, which are believed to have been caused after his feet got tangled in the kite lines and from climbing onto Whale Rock. He was released as he required no further assistance.
The team also followed up on the man who used his SUP to assist and found that he had reached the shore safely.
The Austrian tourist had reportedly launched at Camps Bay while his friend, who is also an Austrian tourist kiteboarder, kept an eye on him from the shoreline. The pair had planned to kiteboard at Camps Bay at sunset instead of Bloubergstrand, where they normally kiteboard. They will stay in South Africa for a month.
The NSRI had appealed to the public and members of the maritime community to be on the lookout for a white and light green Duotone Jaime 2021 kiteboard, which had gone missing during the incident.
Residents and visitors are also reminded that the new moon spring tide is now at its peak and will last for the remainder of this week into the coming weekend.
The NSRI released these guidelines to follow to remain safe:
- Do not drink alcohol and swim.
- Bathers at beaches swim where and when lifeguards are on duty between the lifeguard ‘safer swimming zone’ flags; obey the lifeguards for everyone’s safety.
- Beach bathers, shoreline anglers, and coastal hikers be aware of two high tides and two low tides around the coast every day.
- Be aware of rip currents that can pull swimmers out to sea.
- During the full moon and new moon, spring tide brings higher than normal high tides and lower than normal low tides that can cause stronger than normal rip currents.
- Swimmers at rivers, lakes, and dams swim with a floating aid for safety and visibility. (But do not let the floating aid blow you away from the shore in strong winds.)
- Don’t venture too far from the shore. If you get tired in the water, float on your back and don’t panic. Fill your lungs with air to aid floatation and stay calm.
- Parents and caregivers ensure that responsible, sober adults supervise children while they are swimming in water or when they are around water.
- Wear bright clothing. (Especially children at the beach.)
- Your swimming pool at home should be cloaked in safety.
- Boaters, paddlers and sailors – wear your life jacket, download and always use NSRI’s free SafeTrx smartphone app when out on the water, and know how to use your safety equipment: a referee whistle, red distress flares, and a cell phone fully charged in a watertight plastic sleeve.
- Always keep a responsible family member or friend updated on where you are going and your expected return time and check in on your safe return.
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Also read:
NSRI and concerned residents attempt to rescue beached swordfish
Picture: NSRI / Facebook
