The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is appealing to the public, bathers, boaters, paddlers and sailboarders, to have a safety-conscious approach when in and around coastal and inland water ways after responding to several incidents over the weekend.
According to the NSRI, Mykonos duty crew responded aboard the sea rescue craft Spirit of Surf Ski on Saturday, December 4, and assisted a 35-foot sailing Catamaran with engine failure in reduced wind conditions.
NSRI Mykonos station commander Mike Shaw said the vessel was towed to St Helena Bay Harbor where she will be repaired before continuing her voyage to the Caribbean.
NSRI Bakoven duty crew were also activated and the sea rescue craft Gemini Legend was launched following multiple eye-witness reports of a double sea-kayak capsized Barley Bay, next to Bakoven.
“A male and a female couple, aged 22 and 25, from Rondebosch, were swept out to sea to the off-shore of Clifton while continuing to capsize and fall out of their craft despite desperate attempts to recover.
“We reached them on the Northside of South Lions Paw, between 2 and 3 nautical miles from where they first capsized,” Andrew Hirsch, NSRI Bakoven duty coxswain said.
In another incident reported NSRI Melkbosstrand duty crew launched the sea rescue craft Rescue 18 Alpha while NSRI rescue swimmers responded to Slabbert se Klippe after being activated on Saturday, December 4, following eye-witness reports a Pencil racing duck appearing to be in difficulty and being swept across the shoreline in 20 knot South Easterly winds.
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According to NSRI Melkbosstrand deputy station commander Hein Köhne two men, aged in their mid 20’s, abandoned their craft and swam ashore from behind the breaker line and upon arrival, they were safely ashore with one of them displaying non-fatal drowning symptoms.
” He was medically treated before being released. The sea rescue craft caught up with the casualty craft that was still afloat at sea and towed the craft back to the slipway where it was recovered,” Köhne explained.
There were also three more incidents reported in Knysna, Langebaan and Richards Bay. Meanwhile, the NSRI are appealing to boaters, paddlers and sailboarders to download and use the free NSRI RSA SafeTRX cellphone application when launching to go to sea.
“Always wear a properly fitting life-jacket while your craft is underway and carry safety gear, a fully charged cellphone in a watertight plastic sleeve, red distress flares and a referee whistle. Know how to use your safety equipment,” the NSRI indicated.
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