NSRI Sea Rescue Magazine Autumn 2016

SEA RESCUE R14.95 | AUTUMN 2016 | FREE TO NSRI MEMBERS

TRAINING

DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF VOLUNTEERS

OPENOCEAN RESCUE

The 277m Rossini rescues stricken yachtsmen

WATERWISE

EMPOWERING OUR KIDS TO STAY SAFE IN THE WATER

GETAWAYS

COOL COASTAL CAMPSITES

CONTENTS AUTUMN 2016

28 08 18 LETTERS

AN INCREDIBLE STORY Two stricken yachtsmen are rescued by the determined crew of the container carrier Rossini

12

14

ADVENTURES AND OPTIMISM

When Greg Bertish sets off in The Little Optimist, he will

be doing so safely

20

34

22

34

02 08

18

THE NEW PE SLIPWAY Clever engineering in the construction of Station 6’s new slipway is going to make life easier for crew and vessels alike MAKING AN IMPACT Why a group effort is necessary to create water- safety awareness and reduce the drowning incidents in our country

TAKING STOCK Meet angler Greg Pengelly and find out how a hobby turned into a scientific exercise in valuable record-keeping and research IN THE NEWS Fundraising drives, events, competitions and station news

26

COME ON, JOIN US! At the Life boat Circle friendships are formed over a cup of tea

28

TRUE TEAMWORK NSRI Air Sea Rescue, the SAAF, and Emergency Medical Services casevac an injured fisherman caught in a winch

30

THE NEXT GENERATION More about NSRI’s Junior Academy and the importance of nurturing young volunteers

33

KUDOS TO THE TEAM How our dedicated WaterWise

educators are making all the difference

AN UNEXPECTED ADVENTURE A trip to Tanzania reveals a sometimes harsh, sometimes beautiful land, but one that is certainly full of surprises

36

COASTAL CAMPING We suggest some options for your next trip to the coast

38

WATER BABIES While all cute and seemingly cuddly on the outside, we discover that sea otters are rather a notorious bunch

40

STATION DIRECTORY SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2016 /

1

FROM THE HELM

THE CREW THE PUBLISHING PARTNERSHIP

I

PHOTOGRAPH: ANDREW INGRAM

n constructing this message I acknowledge a friend in Hout Bay who asked me a difficult question, following a very busy summer season of rescues. It expressed his concern at the seemingly silly things people do that result in them being rescued!

I’ve been in rescue for 30 years and I’ve rescued people doing the craziest of things but I’ve always tried to stick to the principles of: a) Rescue should be free

b) Rescue without fear or favour The free part is about making sure that there are no inhibitors for people to call for help (we’re going to great lengths to improve access through evolving systems e.g. publishing the 112 emergency number and having the SafeTrx app available for seagoers within range of a cellphone mast).

• If they delay calling it often ends up costing life or money!

• It also makes the rescue field non-competitive.

I think rescuing people is both a service and a privilege, and must be executed professionally at the highest ethical standard.

The second issue is about equity and making sure that, whoever you are, you get the same response and service (the best). People do ‘crazy’ things (base jumping and so forth) and when something goes wrong we rescue them because we are professional, know what we’re doing and do the job properly; again the wrong service might cost life and money.

Allied to that we depend on donors to fund us and I think it’s expected of us to do exactly what we do. Adventure and exploration happen at many levels and without that spirit and drive we would not develop as a human race. I think we appreciate this and understand that, as rescue professionals, that’s why we’re there.

To balance the discussion I think we’re very strong on advocating prevention and a huge weight is placed on maritime safety and drowning prevention, an area where there is a massive amount to do to prevent 25 000 non-fatal and fatal drownings every year. We struggle with the authorities to implement safe regimes and we are big into the education of children but there’s a long way to go!

Our volunteers go willingly with huge passion and enthusiasm governed by a strong sense of responsibility, competence and the absolute discretion to withdraw if it’s not safe.

We place huge value on the support we get and we listen closely to stakeholders at many levels – it’s a useful reflection on our rescue practice.

I can only echo the mantra of our volunteers: ‘It’s who we are, it’s what we do!’

Thank you for supporting us in so many ways and for telling us when you’re happy with our service and when you’re not. The next rescue will inevitably be of better quality because you took the time to tell us and because we are a listening, learning and developmental organisation!

MANAGING EDITOR Wendy Maritz ART DIRECTOR Ryan Manning ADVERTISING Nicholas Lumb EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS Mark Beare, John Morkel EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Susan Newham-Blake ADDRESS PO Box 15054, Vlaeberg 8018 TEL +27 21 ­424 3517 FAX +27 21 424 3612 EMAIL wmaritz@tppsa.co.za

SEA RESCUE OFFICE +27 21 434 4011 WEB www.searescue.org.za EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: ORGANISATIONAL SUPPORT Meriel Bartlett CELL 082 994 7555 EMAIL merielb@searescue.org.za MARKETING MANAGER Andrew Ingram CELL 082 990 5977 EMAIL andrewi@searescue.org.za COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Craig Lambinon CELL 082 380 3800 EMAIL lambinon@mweb.co.za PRODUCED FOR THE NSRI BY The Publishing Partnership (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 15054, Vlaeberg 8018.

Copyright: The Publishing Partnership (Pty) Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without the prior permission of the editor. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not the NSRI. Offers are available while stocks last.

DR CLEEVE ROBERTSON, CEO

REPRODUCTION Hirt & Carter

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CAPE TOWN: NSRI, 1 Glengariff Road, Three Anchor Bay 8001; PO Box 154, Green Point 8051 Tel: +27 21 434 4011 Fax: +27 21 434 1661 Visit our website at www.searescue.org.za or email us at info@searescue.org.za www.facebook.com/SeaRescue

2 / SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2016

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LETTERS WINNING LETTER

Thank you, Alasdair, for sharing your story with us. Your hamper of Slaley wines will be on its way to you shortly.

Chief engineer Lyes Lassel, Kyle Castelyn and Captain Hervé Lepage.

(See page 8) Cover photograph: Andrew Ingram

Robin Nel

I

had a rather unpleasant experience on 30 November 2015 at Glenmore Beach on the far South Coast – just before Port Edward.

I had a near-drowning incident that was totally unexpected as I am a very strong swimmer – I only realised I was in trouble when I was already almost completely exhausted. There were no lifeguards on duty that day and I ended up being saved by two anonymous surfers. (Great guys – I wish I knew who they were.)

Being from Johannesburg, we were not aware of the dangers of secondary drowning and with the help of some locals we got hold of the emergency services and I was rushed to Margate Hospital.

One of the guys who responded was from Station 32 (Port Edward) and his name was Robin Nel. Robin was one of the first emergency personnel on site at Glenmore Beach and I was hardly conscious at the time because of the exhaustion.

I am aware of the dangers of swallowing or inhaling seawater so I had managed to avoid that to a large degree but as stated above I was almost completely exhausted.

Robin (according to my friends and family) ran down the beach to me and then realised that he had not brought

his oxygen with him – he then ran in crazy heat across the beach, uphill, to fetch the oxygen and back again to help me. I was vaguely aware of him talking to me and answered his questions through a parched, saltdehydrated throat and mouth.

I do remember him being very friendly and concerned.

All of this is not unexpected from emergency personnel – I just felt that he was extremely friendly and helpful.

What I do feel is truly remarkable is the fact that he took my wife’s details in case of needing to contact us, and the following day he sent an SMS to my wife wanting to follow up and see how it had all turned out.

His dedication and compassion were greatly appreciated by myself, my wife and daughter, and our friends who were on the beach with us.

We feel that he not only went the extra mile, but ran it!

We greatly appreciated his efforts and his contact the following day, and feel that Robin Nel should be given some sort of award or reward for it!

Thank you all at the NSRI for your brilliant work – but most especially, thank you, Robin Nel! (This letter has been shortened.)

ALASDAIR HAMILTON

DANKIE, ST 34 (YZERFONTEIN) Waar begin ek om my dank uit te spreek oor hoe ongelooflik julle vertoon het tydens die Curroskooluitstappie?

Ons as ouers, en ook die onderwysers, het duisend keer meer gerus gevoel oor julle teenwoordigheid.

Die dag was ’n reuse sukses en, al het daar slegs ongeveer 40 dapper kinders die koue water aangedurf, was dit lekker om te weet julle is daar.

Dankie ook dat julle visueel vir ons kon wys julle is paraat met julle optrede in elke opsig!

Hou ons asseblief op hoogte – ons sal julle span graag wil ondersteun met ons donasies in die toekoms.

Liefdegroete.

MARIETTE KIRSTEN, LANGEBAAN

For NSRI membership

or Sea Rescue subscription details: SCUE SEA RE R14.95

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2015/10/28

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info@searescue.org.za or (021) 434 4011 SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2016 /

3

LETTERS MAKING IT HAPPEN Congratulations, Andrew Ingram, on your article on Station 14 (Plettenberg Bay) in the Summer 2015 edition of Sea Rescue. It was a worthy tribute to a great team I had the privilege of being part of for many years.

I have had two people comment to me on the record of ‘Fundraising Committee Chairman’, both of whom have said that I should write to you and correct the record for posterity... so here goes.

I joined the Support Committee in 1996 and Dave Harrow was then chairman and continued as such for the next few years. When he retired from the committee, Trevor Mann took over until ill health forced him to retire in early 2001 and I was appointed for the next couple of years before handing over on account of other commitments to Tim Wiener. I then continued on the committee until 2013.

I gave the minutes to Tim when I

NSRI DIRECTORS CEO: Dr Cleeve Robertson EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS: Meriel Bartlett (Organisational Support), Mark Hughes (Operations), Mark Koning (Finance).

GOVERNANCE BOARD: Ronnie Stein (Chairman) MEMBERS: Deon Cloete, Viola Manuel, Dineo Moiloa, Chris Nissen, Dave Robins, Rob Stirrat, Randall Titus, Nontsindiso Tshazi.

OPERATIONAL BOARD MEMBERS: Eddie Noyons (Chairman), Brad Geyser, Dave Roberts, Mike Elliot, Justin Erasmus.

HONORARY LIFE GOVERNORS David Abromowitz, Peter Bacon, Allan Cramb, Howard Godfrey, Ian Hamilton, Chris Hudson, Brian Hustler, Ian Strachan, Hennie Taljaard.

4 / SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2016

stepped down so am unable to put exact dates on these changes in chairmanship.

As far as I am concerned, it was a wonderful experience to be associated with so many committed men and I know the station will continue to be a model of excellence.

BILL HARRISON THANKS TO EASTERN CAPE RESCUE SERVICES AND STATION 7 I would like to report on an incident we had a while ago and the excellent service we received from Geoff McGregor, Station 7 (East London), and Malcolm Moulang, pilot of Aeromed 1, Eastern Cape Department of Health, and paramedics Chris Poovan and Emma Zuidema. This is our story: My family and I were on holiday at Cintsa and whenever we are there, a walk along the beach to Haga Haga, a hike of about 16km, must be made.

The first part of the walk went without incident and we eventually arrived at a very rocky section, about two-thirds of the way. Here we had to take it very slow due to the uneven terrain.

My mother-in-law was walking just ahead of us, when all of a sudden

she came to an abrupt stop, turned to look at us and went to sit down.

I could see from her expression that she was in pain. We had a look and her ankle had already started to swell. We tried to lift her and see if she could walk with us supporting her on either side, but she went straight down again. We made her as comfortable as we could, and I started dialling.

I eventually got the nearest NSRI station’s number, which was East London (Station 7), about 70km away. So, hero number one answers the phone: Geoff McGregor. I briefly explained our situation to him, impressing upon him that a casevac was required. My mother-in-law was in pain; and the tide was coming in.

The first thing that Geoff said was that they’d be on standby, come hell or high water, no pun intended, with crew and recovery vehicle ready. He grasped the seriousness of our situation and gave me a number to dial, for someone who might be better able to help us ASAP. He also assured me that he would phone me to hear how we are doing, which he did.

So I dial and hero number two answers the phone: Malcolm Moulang, pilot of Aeromed 1, Eastern Cape Department of Health. I explained our situation and he also understood that time was short. He told me that he’d have to get permission for this flight from the Director of Health and that he

Johan van der Merwe’s mother-in-law is transported by helicopter after injuring herself on a family walk to Haga Haga.

would phone me back – which he did in under 10 minutes.

The flight had been approved and so help was on the way.

I couldn’t supply Malcolm with our GPS coordinates, because my cellphone’s battery was running too low, but we arranged that he would fly along the beach from Cintsa and I would stand close to the water’s edge, waving a pink T-shirt.

In under an hour we heard the helicopter, which then started to circle to pick out a safe landing spot.

Touch-down, the doors open up and heroes three and four enter the scene: paramedics Chris Poovan and Emma Zuidema. They rush over and start their assessment, immediately getting

my mother-in-law on painkillers and rehydrated. They stabilised her ankle and secured her onto a stretcher. Both were very efficient and professional.

Once my mother-in-law was safely in the helicopter, Malcolm told us exactly what was going to happen from there on, where she would be taken and at which hospital she could be visited. My wife and I started the walk back to Cintsa after Aeromed 1 departed.

X-rays revealed that her ankle was shattered and her fibula was broken!

After proper medical attention I’m glad to say that she has recovered fully and is hiking and running again, all thanks to NSRI Station 7 and Aeromed 1, and the Eastern Cape Department of Health. We owe you a big thank you!

JOHAN VAN DER MERWE

Write to us and WIN!

The writer of the winning letter published in the Winter 2016 issue of Sea Rescue will win a sumptuous hamper of Slaley wines valued at R750. This hamper can also be ordered from Slaley as a promotional gift or for a special occasion. For more information, call (021) 865 2123, visit www.slaley. co.za or pop by and see us on the corner of the R44 and Kromme Rhee Road outside Stellenbosch.

Send your letters to Sea Rescue magazine, PO Box 15054, Vlaeberg 8018. (Letters may be shortened, and the winning letter is chosen at the editor’s discretion.)

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LETTERS TRAINING THE TRAINERS To Daniel, Graeme and Brett of the training team at head office, I just wanted to thank you once again for giving up so much of your time and energy to make the weekend a great success. You are all such an inspiration and you are extremely good at motivating people.

Thank you for a well-organised, honest and fruitful course. You managed to keep it fun and informative throughout. I am sure as a facilitator that does become rather exhausting, however, your positivity and energy did not drop once.

You, and others like you, are the reason why we are so proud to be part of this family.Thank you so much!

MARLENE SLADE, STATION 11 (PORT ALFRED) ‘THANK YOU FOR SAVING MY LIFE’ I was one of the crew on the 48-foot Clifton that sank on Sunday, 22 November 2015, and we were saved by the crew of Station 4 (Mykonos).

As a long-time contributor, supporter and an active duty crew member for a brief time at Station 21 (St Francis Bay), I know what it takes to leave the comfort of your home to go on a rescue at all hours of the day or night.

Well, the crew of Station 4 did not disappoint: when the chips were down they delivered 100%. Four of us were in a life raft and two in the water, we were still tied to the sinking boat and couldn’t find a knife to cut the painter. The bow of the boat was sticking a metre out of the water and with every swell was sinking lower… If the boat had gone down it would have taken the life raft with it, and that would have been a different story.

This, together with the fact that we were being blown onto shore, meant the timely arrival of the rescue boat saved six lives – I have no doubt about that.

6 / SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2016

Ryan Holmes of Station 9 (Gordon’s Bay) during a training exercise off Rooi Els.

I would like to thank the crew of Station 4 for saving my life. Without their dedication to the task I would not be sitting here writing this.

Throughout they were friendly, helpful, supportive and – above all – there when I needed them most.

I salute you, Station 4!

LEON SCHEEPERS LIFE BOAT CIRCLE BREAKFAST Thank you, Elaine, for the most wonderful breakfast at Clovelly. My husband has not attended any of your functions before and it was only my second, and he was very impressed.

We met many interesting people, and loved the speaker and subject.

I think I must recruit my other retired pals along to support you all.

Thank you for the wonderful day and all your hard work.

MARY CROSSLEY WHAT MOTIVATES SEA RESCUE VOLUNTEERS? I love hearing the reasons given by new trainees as they try to articulate during their first crew meetings why they want to join the ranks. I remember one newcomer saying ‘Ek soek aksie!’. While the thrill of the chase can be a motivator in the sometimes-adrenalin-pumping callouts, it lacks the pulling force to keep someone motivated through the hours of maintenance and exercises.

A desire to give back to the community is the most common reason given and a true driver of new recruits and seasoned volunteers. As a person thinks outwards and gets involved in serving in the community, they are drawn to love and connect with those they serve. It obviously has the

same effect on those being served, so a knitting of hearts and strengthening of communities happens. Joining the NSRI fulfils the objective to give back and serve in your community and thus is a strong motivator.

The objective of self-improvement through development and learning is achieved through the NSRI’s extensive training programmes. Life skills and leadership skills are taught, skills are honed to the level of professional, and many new experiences are had on the path from trainee, through crewman to coxswain and station management.

This personal growth and sense of achievement keeps the volunteer returning for more and, if you consider how many volunteers pass through the NSRI programmes, its impact uplifts our communities in ways that have nothing to do with the sea or rescues.

Other intrinsic factors such as a sense of belonging to a team or family, and the need for social interaction with likeminded individuals also keep us coming back.

Recognition given is the ultimate adhesive that keeps this noblest of organisations strong, effective and populated with dedicated crew. The recognition for a job well done or the award for valour in line of duty, the congratulating handshake by a respected leader, a new badge worn proudly on your chest – all these make the effort worthwhile.

I joined the NSRI a few years ago and have been surprised by my absolute commitment and loyalty to and my love for the organisation and the work it does.

RYAN HOLMES DEPUTY COXSWAIN, STATION 9 (GORDON’S BAY)

STORY

Kyle Castelyn and Jean Sitruk were not sure they would survive a second night on their overturned catamaran’s tiny tender, but the captain of the 227m French container carrier CMA CGM Rossini was determined to find them before dark, despite the near-impossible task of spotting them on the open ocean. By Andrew Ingram

I

f you walked past the table around which the seven of us were sitting, chances are you wouldn’t have given it a second glance. A light rain had been falling and clouds, driven by an unseasonal northwesterly, were scudding across the sky.

You might have heard that two of the men, one wearing a Sea Rescue South Africa hat and the other a Sea Rescue beanie, had very strong French accents.

Perhaps you would have stopped and heard Hervé Lepage, captain of the 277m French-registered container carrier CMA CGM Rossini, and the ships’ chief engineer, Lyes Lassel, tell the harrowing story of their search for Jean Sitruk, 65, and Kyle Castelyn, 20, after their capsized catamaran was found 50 miles off the Wild Coast.

Looking up, I see the Table Bay Sea Rescue base behind Captain Lepage.

Night is falling. The rescue boat Spirit of

8 / SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2016

Vodacom is lit up inside her rescue base.

It is a fitting backdrop to a story of exceptional seamanship and determination.

I look at Kyle, sitting across the table.

A rake-thin young man with long blond hair and a moustache, he sits ramrod straight in his chair. His brown eyes are focused, unblinking, on Captain Lepage.

I think of the first time that I’d seen Kyle, walking off the Sea Rescue boat that is now a backdrop to our conversation. It was mid-October 2015. He had a smile from ear to ear as he walked up to his mother. She threw her arms around him and pulled him towards her. It was an intensely emotional moment. Jean Sitruk, skipper of the Llama Lo, stood on the rescue boat, tears streaming down his face as he watched mother and son reunited. It was only a couple of days before this, as the two men battled for survival in the yacht’s tiny tender, that Jean had thought they would die.

‘We were nearer death than life,’ Jean says. ‘I hoped to live for my family. But especially for Kyle.’

Skipper of the 52-foot catamaran Llama Lo, Jean, from Lyon, France, and his crewman Kyle from Strand, Cape Town, were sailing from the Maldives to Cape Town where Kyle would leave the yacht. (They were on the last stretch down from Durban.)

She was on autopilot, sailing at 12-13 knots in rough seas with moderate winds off the Wild Coast. Both men were down below when, with a loud bang, the yacht momentarily stopped and then swung hard to port.

Rushing up onto the deck, Kyle saw a whale on their port side. Water was flooding into the hull through a massive 70cm hole. The boat was going to capsize. With a hole that big there was nothing that the two sailors could do to prevent it.

Kyle went for the life raft. Loosening it from its position, he threw it overboard and then dashed below to grab emergency supplies… and Jean, most importantly, grabbed the emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB).

Kyle unhooked the VHF microphone and transmitted the call that every seaman dreads: ‘Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, this is the yacht Llama Lo, Llama Lo, Llama Lo…’ The catamaran was listing heavily to port as the two men rushed back on deck, only to see that the life raft was floating more than 200m away. It was not, as Kyle had thought, tethered to the yacht.

Their only chance now was a small, bright-yellow inflatable boat. The yacht’s tender. Kyle tried to start the tender to go to the life raft but the engine wouldn’t start. Wearing lifejackets, clutching emergency rations and the yacht’s EPIRB, they pushed away from the yacht and watched as she slowly rolled over.

It was just after 6pm on Saturday night 17 October 2015, and as darkness

PHOTOGRAPHS: SUPPLIED, ANDREW INGRAM

AN INCREDIBLE

REAL-LIFE RESCUE

PHOTOGRAPHS: SUPPLIED, ANDREW INGRAM

Main image: A relieved mother and son. Far left: The upturned hull of the Llama Lo. Left: The empty life raft found by the MV Cape Olive.

SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2016 /

9

descended on the Indian Ocean the two men drifted away from the capsized catamaran and switched on their EPIRB. Sea conditions were deteriorating. A gale-force wind of 50 knots was battering the two men as the French Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Gris Nez picked up their emergency beacon on their computers.

As is protocol, they alerted the South African MRCC to the signal as it was off our coast, and a huge rescue effort was started. Five ships in the area were diverted to the position that the

Above (from left): Kyle’s parents, Raymond and Linda Castelyn, chief engineer Lyes Lassel, Kyle and Captain Lepage.

they could see the searchlights of ships looking for them, and with some luck they figured they could fire the flares when the ships were closer.

As the sun was rising on a seemingly empty ocean, a wave, bigger than the rest, flipped the little boat, dumping Jean and Kyle into the sea. Kyle had tethered his rucksack to the dinghy, and as soon as they had scrambled onto the upturned hull, he pulled it up. Inside

The crew knew that if they did not find the two yachtsmen before dark, their chances of survival would not be good.

EPIRB was transmitting to try find the yacht, and the East London Sea Rescue volunteers as well as a military Oryx helicopter were put on standby.

Through the night Kyle and Jean took turns to paddle the little rubber boat, trying to keep her head into the sea.

Huge swells of 6-7m, sometimes crumbling at the top, threatened to turn them over. Kyle ignited a hand-held flare … to no avail … and they decided to keep the flares for the next day. In the distance

10 / SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2016

was Kyle’s laptop. And, most importantly, fresh water that would last the men six days. The supplies that weren’t tied to the boat, including their flares, were gone. ‘I saw my packet of Futurelife cereal floating past and grabbed it so at least we would have that to eat,’ says Kyle. After they rested on the capsized tender for about two hours, another huge wave flipped it again, and Kyle and Jean scrambled back into the boat.

Out on the horizon they could see

ships. Exhausted, the men hoped that the ships were searching for them. By now they had drifted far from Llama Lo, and the first ships to arrive at the wreck reported that there were no signs of life on her. Soon after that, the life raft was found. Also empty. By now the Sea Rescue craft Spirit of Lotto and the SAAF 15 Squadron Oryx helicopter were well on the way to the search area.

Sailing down the East Coast, nearing the search area, was the huge French container carrier CMA CGM Rossini.

Two-hundred-and-seventy-seven metres of ship. As the sun started rising off the horizon, the duty officer called Captain Lepage to the bridge. It was 07h10.

They’d been alerted by the French MRCC in Gris Nez to the distress signal from the French yacht. By a strange twist of fate, it was the same MRCC where the captain had done his military service in 1988.

On the bridge Captain Lepage asked for the coordinates of the EPIRB pings and plotted them on his chart. A master mariner with vast experience on supersized ships, Captain Lepage is also a volunteer with the French Sea Rescue service, the SNSM, in his home town of La Rochelle.

‘At 12h15 we called Port Elizabeth

PHOTOGRAPH: ANDREW INGRAM

REAL-LIFE RESCUE

PHOTOGRAPH: ANDREW INGRAM

radio and told them that we were getting close to the position. They asked me to proceed there,’ says the captain.

‘I changed my course.’

Watching his chart plotter, Captain Lepage knew that there were already five ships in the area. One had found the capsized cat, another the empty life raft.

But none had followed the EPIRB position that was drifting down the coast.

‘I contacted my company and the MRCC in Gris Nez and suggested that we chase the EPIRB,’ he says.

At 16h15 the Rossini glided up alongside the wreck. ‘It was close to my starboard bow and we gave a blast on the horn, thinking that they might be inside.’

‘There was no response. No sign.’

Captain Lepage gave the order to increase power and bent over his chart.

The EPIRB pings he’d been given by France were two hours behind. They were in a straight line indicating the drift of the EPIRB… but how could it be that it was not with the life raft?

‘I thought of submersion suits. They must be wearing submersion suits. And holding the EPIRB,’ says Hervé.

‘We had six pairs of binoculars on the bridge, so I called six men up and divided the area to search into sectors. Each man must concentrate only on his sector.’

And then came the curveball.

The French MRCC Gris Nez gave the next EPIRB position way off to the left of where the drift should be. With darkness approaching, this required calm thinking and some careful calculations. Captain Lepage gave the order to turn to port, although he believed that the position was wrong. He had worked out that they would have enough time to check. To make sure. And then, if need be, to loop around and sail back up the drift line that they had been searching.

There was, as he had thought, nothing where the last EPIRB position was thought to be.

Increasing speed of the massive ship, Captain Lepage looked at his watch.

Sunset was too close. Calculating where the correct position of the two-hour-old EPIRB ping should have been and where the drift would have it now, he gave the order to keep heading down the coast.

‘Sir, should we not turn now?’The chief officer asked.

‘Not yet,’ replied the captain.’Not yet.’

It was a call that needed to be taken by instinct. The calculations showed a position and then it came down to a hunch, a feeling, that some have in them.

And others do not.

At 17h50 the captain gave the command. ‘Turn to starboard now.’

The Rossini’s bow came around and the captain lined her up on his track in the opposite direction, before the wildgoose chase off the drift line.

‘The picture that was in my mind was of them in the water with emersion suits on. The EPIRB in their hands.’

Concerned about the fast-approaching darkness, the captain called for an

Comments on the NSRI website from family of the two men who were rescued: Raymond and Linda Castelyn The family of Kyle Castelyn would just like to thank everyone who was involved in the rescue, from helicopters and boats to the people communicating so promptly with us at the NSRI offices. Your professionalism and speed are commendable and we will forever be grateful for your work in returning our son back to us safely.

Nicolette Castelyn Thank you to each and everyone who was part of the rescue. Thanks to you, my brother Kyle Castelyn will be coming home to us safely.

May God bless everyone.

Jeremy Sitruk We are so happy with the good news and the great work by all rescue members. Jean’s grandson is too young to appreciate it yet, but he will hear about this story for a long time to come. Thank you all!

increase of speed. The tension on the bridge was palpable. The crew knew that if they did not find the two yachtsmen before dark, their chances of survival would not be good.

‘There.’

The call was from the chief engineer Lyes Lassel, who was scanning the port sector. He had seen a single flash of orange. Binoculars were swung onto his quadrant, and, clearly now, the men on the bridge saw two orange specks.

They had seen the horseshoe collars of the life jackets that Kyle and Jean were wearing.

The great ship slowed down and turned towards the orange specks.

Kyle and Jean had been watching the container carrier for a couple of hours, slowly paddling towards it.

‘And then they gave three blasts on their horn,’ says Kyle. ‘And then we knew…’ His voice trails off and he looks down at the floor.

It was 15 minutes before sunset. And one of the biggest challenges for the captain and his crew lay ahead. How to get the huge ship alongside the tiny rubber boat and then get the two men up the wall of steel onto the container carrier?

‘I used the wind and the currents,’ says Captain Lepage.

With great skill he sailed the Rossini up to the little yacht tender, leaving Kyle and Jean only a few metres to paddle to the side of the ship.

Despite his exhaustion, youth was on Kyle’s side. He was up the ship’s ladder in a flash. But Jean, now knowing that Kyle was safe, had no energy left. He had held on bravely through the ordeal, focusing on getting his young crewman to safety. Now exhaustion washed over him. As he started the 9m climb up the rope ladder, his hands slipped and he crashed into the sea, losing his life jacket in the process.

The Rossini’s chief officer, Sadi Resdedant, rushed out onto the ladder to help.

Dropping a helicopter strop on a rope and shouting encouragement to the exhausted sailor, they managed, against the odds, to get the elderly skipper on board.

‘I thought we would lose him,’ says Captain Lepage.

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RENOVATIONS

THE NEW PE SLIPWAY T

he newly built Sea Rescue base in Port Elizabeth was opened in October 2015, and now there is just one last phase of the building project to be completed: the slipway.

Port Elizabeth is the only Sea Rescue base still without a slipway and this final phase of the building project will mean that the 10m Brede rescue vessel can be housed and launched from inside the base.

Up until now it has been kept on a mooring at the local yacht club, which has proven to be costly in terms of maintenance. Because of this rescue boat having had to be housed outside and on the water, Port Elizabeth’s Brede

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is currently having its second refit in five years.

Port Elizabeth is a busy harbour for big industry and as such sees plenty of raw materials being loaded on and off cargo ships. Unfortunately the city is also notoriously windy. This characteristic means that, as cargoes are loaded, sediment often blows across the harbour, resulting in boats that are moored nearby being covered in layers of fine dust, which makes it more difficult to keep nearby vessels clean.

In addition, the extensive marine growth on the hull that develops on a vessel lying alongside requires continuous maintenance, while inside the craft

there’s corrosion in the engine room resulting from continual exposure to moisture. Typically, when a Sea Rescue vessel is rehoused after an operation, it’s washed down and hatches are left open so that heat from the engine room can escape and the cabin can dry out.

But when a vessel is moored on water, this is not possible. For security reasons, all hatches are closed and locked. This means that residual heat and moisture are often trapped inside the vessel, also causing corrosion.

The new slipway for Station 6 is founded on 12 caissons sunk into the seabed to support the structure. Attached to these caissons are lateral concrete support beams. On top of them two railway lines will be laid to support the cradle on which the boat will be housed. The cradle will be lowered down the slipway using a winch system. In addition, a floating jetty

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Station 6 (Port Elizabeth) crew are looking forward to the completion of their new slipway, which will save valuable time during launches as well as assist in the maintenance of vessels. By Cherelle Leong

This final phase of the building project will mean that the 10m Brede rescue vessel can be housed and launched from inside the base. will be positioned on the side of the slipway, which can serve as a mooring when the vessel is in the water. This feature will make it easier to load equipment or casualties on or off the vessel during an operation.

But perhaps the great benefit of the new slipway will be the morale-boosting effect it will have on the crew. Instead of having to walk 500m through the yacht club to get to the rescue boat to launch, now crew can get to sea directly from within the base. General maintenance noel nsriupkeep advert.pdf will 1 2015/10/15 03:26:51 PM and also require less effort.

Construction of the slipway began in February and is due to be completed by the end of May. Port Elizabeth can then look forward to welcoming their newly refurbished Brede back on station, up a newly completed slipway and into their new base.

Above: The slipway under construction.

Opposite page: The new Station 6 base building.

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ou can see that Josh is a swimmer. He stands at 184cm, his shoulders are broad and his handshake strong. He is whippet thin, and lightning fast in the water. Joshua Wigley, 16, had decided to sign up for life-saving duty over the December holidays.

He’s cut out for the job and fitted into the red-and-yellow clothing like a hand in a glove.

Christmas Day 2015 saw Josh on duty with 16-year-old Nehan Pretorius at the Wilderness lagoon. Traditionally the grassed area is filled with people braaiing as children play in the lagoon. Often unsupervised.

Josh’s mother, Liza, is a WaterWise Academy teacher. Extremely passionate about her job teaching water safety to children, she had often told Josh stories of rescues and of children who had drowned.

So it was with some apprehension that he reported for duty that day.

From early in the morning people started arriving. Braais were lit and gazebos erected, and children ran into the water to cool off.

It was a perfect day in Wilderness – but Josh was on edge.

Walking along the edge of the sandbank, he kept scanning the people in the water. There were a lot of adults but there were also many children playing in the shallows. Josh registered that the tide had turned. The Touw River’s mouth was open and the sea started to push strongly. Without thinking about it, he had focused on three children playing on the edge of a sandbank. They were in shallow water but it shelved off into a very deep channel. He watched a wave of water moving up the river mouth, saw it pick the three children up off their feet and watched them being pushed into the deep channel.

‘They just went under,’ Josh recalls. ‘Straight down.’

He broke into a sprint. ‘There was no time to take my sunglasses or hat off… You don’t have any time.’

It took him seconds to get to the children. Grabbing two of them by the arms, he turned for the bank. Nehan had seen the commotion and,

IMPACT New Year’s Day saw a pair of young life-savers rescue three children from drowning at the Touw River. Other families may not be so fortunate. By Andrew Ingram

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PHOTOGRAPHS: LIZA WIGLEY

MAKING AN

REAL-LIFE RESCUE

PHOTOGRAPHS: LIZA WIGLEY

‘Her eyes were not able to focus on me.

They rolled back and she collapsed; flecks of foam were coming from her mouth.’

reacting fast, he too entered the water, grabbing the third child – a young girl, perhaps just entering her teens.

Josh now faced a grim struggle. The two children, desperately trying to get their heads above the surface, started to fight him.

‘It was like they were trying to climb up my back,’ says Josh.

Unable to stand, Josh used all his strength and swimming skills to get the two children back into shallow water, helping them back to the safety of the sandbank. Still pumped with adrenaline, he assessed whether ‘his two children’ were safe. They were. However, the girl whom Nehan had rescued did not look good. He walked over to her and asked if she was okay…

‘Her eyes were not able to focus on me.

They rolled back and she collapsed; flecks of foam were coming from her mouth.’

Josh scooped the girl up in his arms as you would a small child, and started to run. Under the road bridge, desperately trying to get her to the tower and the senior lifeguard on duty. And then she stopped breathing.

‘I did not have to check,’ Josh says.

‘I knew.’

‘I shouted to Nehan to run ahead and get help. I did not have a CPR mouthpiece with me and doing rescue breaths without one was not an option.’

He stopped, put the girl on the sand and started compressions. Josh had been taught CPR, but doing it for real on a child is hard to prepare for.

One, two, three, four… Pushing hard in the middle of her chest, Josh kept looking up, hoping to see Marius Venter, the senior lifeguard, arriving with the mouthpiece. He had to stop periodically Left: Marius Venter and Joshua Wigley at the Touw River mouth in the Wilderness.

SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2016 /

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REAL-LIFE RESCUE

Sea Rescue estimates that there are

2 000 FATAL DROWNINGS in South Africa each year,

of which 600 are children.

Left: The Touw River mouth, Wilderness, is a popular spot for families, especially on New Year’s Day. Below: Joshua Wigley’s life-saving skills saved three children.

to clear her airway as she coughed up foam, which was forming because water had got into her lungs.

It was at most a couple of minutes before Marius arrived, a mouthpiece in hand. Tilting her head back slightly, Marius, gave her two rescue breaths using the protective mouthpiece and then went on to do 30 compressions.

The girl breathed.

‘She was now conscious but struggling to stay awake,’ says Josh.

All around them it was chaos: people crowding closer, praying, pushing. It was a battle to keep the space open and after a few minutes the lifeguards put the girl on a rescue board. They needed to get her to the parking lot to the ambulance.

‘By this time her mom had found us and was running alongside us…’

Josh, Marius, and Nehan never found out the name of the little girl whose life they saved. And the child’s mother, in all the chaos, did not have time to thank the young men for what they had done.

The three children, all of whom would have drowned were it not for the life-savers, are captured in the cold facts of statistics as three non-fatal drownings. It bears remembering, when looking at these statistics, that each number represents a person who is loved by their family. A family that would be completely devastated if that number had to become a fatality.

‘In order to achieve an impact on

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drowning we have to be prepared to change our mindset. We need a good team, motivation, leadership, humility, persistence and the resilience to overcome obstacles,’ says NSRI CEO Dr Cleeve Robertson.

Sea Rescue estimates that there are 2 000 fatal drownings in South Africa each year, of which 600 are children. If we apply international averages to our statistics we believe that 20 000 people are affected by non-fatal drowning each year. Some, hopefully like the young girl whom the life-savers rescued, will recover completely – but some will, to

various degrees, live with brain damage.

‘The only way that we can make a real impact on these terrible statistics is to reach the 15-million children under the age of 15 who are either at home (then we need to reach their mothers), or in preschool or in our education system,’ says Dr Robertson.

‘Everybody involved in water safety and drowning prevention needs to work together. Government and specifically the education departments need to work with us… and then, perhaps, through education, we can reduce the impact of drowning in our country.’

When Greg Bertish heads off in The Little Optimist, he will be doing so safely. By Wendy Maritz

Above: The Little Optimist is ready for adventure.

Above right: Testing the waters – Greg sails comfortably in the little dinghy most kids learn in.

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he Little Optimist’ might not be the strongest or the biggest, but he’s determined, patient, full of belief and he’s going to do things the right way – the safe way!

When Greg Bertish describes the character he has brought to life, he is more than impassioned. It’s an emotional business for him too. And there’s a bit of a story as to why. The Bertish brothers practically grew up on the

PHOTOGRAPHS: SUPPLIED

ADVENTURES AND OPTIMISM

ocean (Greg stood up on his first wave at four years of age). Between them, they have made their mark on almost every surfing (big-wave included), SUPing and paddling event on the world circuit. Greg represented South Africa in the SUP World Champs in Peru (2012); has won the legendary Downwind Dash (2011) across Langebaan lagoon; and enjoyed three successive wins in the Coreban Summer Series (2008, 2009 and 2010).

This year, however, Greg is shifting his focus to another great passion: children.

The father of two has long been an active supporter of the Children’s Hospital Trust, which is raising funds to upgrade the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Red Cross Children’s Hospital. Greg’s work with children has seen him engage with sick kids who need not only medical care (often away from their families and for long periods of time), but also friendship, love and motivation. They are scared, he says, and ‘they have very little to fight for… .’ Life is hospital is in many ways a cosy environment – far cosier than life back home.

Bring in The Little Optimist. Anyone who learnt how to sail as a child will know the ‘Opi’ – an 8-by-3,5-foot dinghy that is used to teach sailing skills to children up to the age of 15. It’s a small vessel – there’s only room enough for one – but it symbolises both spirit and heart, and so Greg is going to take his Little Optimist on an adventure that will start at Hangklip in the Western Cape and end at the place where he learnt to sail: Langebaan lagoon.

The symbolism goes a little further.

Greg will be sailing 200km on the open

INSPIRATION

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ocean – 200 is the number of days he spent in hospital after a subtropical bacterium infected his aortic valve and began to destroy it. Initially unaware of what was causing his symptoms, Greg was eventually hospitalised and had to undergo open-heart surgery to clear the infection and replace his aorta. Complications from the infection meant it took a year before Greg’s life returned to a semblance of normality.

The infection returned in 2006, and a second surgery replaced two of his valves that had been reinfected. Then in 2007 it came back again, and Greg spent another 60 days in hospital on IV drips to destroy the bacteria. What got him through both setbacks was an undeniably positive attitude, the fact that he’d been extremely fit before the infections struck, and the support of his loved ones.

It did mean making ‘small steps’, which became small wins, and by 2008 he was competing again.

With a number of sponsors on board and the support of the NSRI, Greg will

With a number of sponsors on board and the support of the NSRI, Greg will depart in March or April – he will need to monitor sea and weather conditions to determine the exact day he sets off. It’s a big mission for a small vessel, so he is taking all the safety precautions necessary.

depart in March or April – he will need to monitor sea and weather conditions to determine the exact day he sets off.

It’s a big mission for a small vessel, so he is taking all the safety precautions necessary. This is not a gung-ho exercise, he says. He will have SafeTrx tracking on his cellphone, a vehicle on land will be monitoring his progress, a stand-by vessel will be available if necessary; and he’ll have the NSRI contacts on hand too. Otherwise it’s just him and The Little Optimist. ‘It’s not about getting from start to finish as fast as possible,’ he says. ‘It’s about doing things safely, slowly – as slow as a tortoise if need be – and doing as much as you can each day within your capabilities.’

Aside from raising funds, Greg hopes that by taking The Little Optimist on this journey he will also be inspiring children to hang onto and live their dreams.

Look out for The Little Optimist children’s book coming out later this year.

RESEARCH

What started as a recreational activity for angler Greg Pengelly has now become a scientific exercise in valuable record-keeping and research. By Cherelle Leong

STOCK A

t age 67, most angling enthusiasts are spending their days out on the water with a rod and reel in hand. But Greg Pengelly’s passion for angling has instead led him to enrol in a postgraduate research project in Marine Biology at the University of Cape Town.

What started as a little number-crunching exercise at his local angling club, Cape Boat and Ski Boat Club at Rumbly Bay in the Cape, has now become a national project, researching more than 200 fish species, funded by the WWF and the Nedbank Green Trust Fund.

Greg has always been an active member of his local angling club, having served as vice-chairman, PRO and secretary, and has served on interprovincial and national fishing competition commit-

Counting fish: Greg Pengelly has combined his passion for angling with conservation.

tation proved to be complex. The first challenge was the lack of consistent measurement standards. Some clubs measured by length, others by weight or other criteria. In addition, outside of big club competitions most catches weren’t recorded at all, resulting in information being lost. Then there were times anglers came back empty-handed.

This information is equally important as it indicates where fish species could be under threat in an area.

Greg, together with his associate Malcom Grant, resource management officer for the Western Province Deep Sea Angling Association (WPDSAA), started developing a digital database to record recreational fishing catches.

Going from club to club, they started

The beauty of the system is that it’s a web-based portal supported by a mobile app, which makes it easy for anglers to record information on their catches. tees for the last 12 years. During competitions, catches were recorded manually on paper and, year after year, record-keeping became tedious. Having worked in IT for more than 20 years, Greg knew that the best way to access catch information was to have a digital database. And because of his previous work experience he knew exactly how to do this.

While a simple concept, implemen-

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implementing measurement standards for angling competitions and gathering data on social fishing to create a more complete database. Naturally it takes resources to build such a database and, when looking for funding, they found the support of the South African National Biodiversity Institute and Professor Colin Attwood of UCT’s Marine Biology Research Institute. Colin recognised the

huge value of the data being collected.

To date the only fisheries data available had been commercial, and being able to add recreational fishing statistics into the mix would provide researchers with a more complete picture of fish stocks in South African waters.

The beauty of the system is that it’s a web-based portal supported by a mobile app, which makes it easy for anglers to record information on their catches. The data can then be segmented by various criteria and made available to marinebiology researchers at various universities. While it started in The Western Cape, the project now encompasses the entire South African coastline and is supported by UCT, Rhodes University ORI, as well as SANBI, the WWF and the Nedbank Green Trust.

Every recreational angler, whether spearfishing, rock and surf or deepsea fishing, can now become a citizen scientist and contribute to a detailed fisheries database. This information can be used to monitor trends in fish stocks and highlight areas for concern, with the long-term objective of being able to protect and sustain fish stocks along the South African coastline. The initiative is due to go live from the middle of April 2016 as part of the FishforLife project.

For more information, visit www.fishforlife.co.za

PHOTOGRAPH: SUPPLIED

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IN THE NEWS LEGENDARY CREWMAN

NSRI is blessed with many dedicated volunteers – but only one man has been present at 99% of all rescues launched over a period of 45 years. Chops, you are a legend.

In 1984, John ‘Chops’ Craig was already the longest-serving member of NSRI Station 10 (Simon’s Town) and this year we celebrate his 47th year of service to the National Sea Rescue Institute. Chops has dedicated his life to the service of others in Simon’s Town and in the Cape Peninsula. He has served at Sea Rescue, the Fire Service, the Sea Scouts, the local volunteer ambulance service and Metro Ambulance Service.

One of the founding members of the Simon’s Town station, Chops was there at the launch of the station’s first boat and at the launch of every other rescue vessel since then. He served as a sea-going crew member for his first 15 years before becoming more involved with the shore crew and medical side, leading him to join the Simon’s Town Fire Service, where he became a leading fireman. Chops became chief controller for the Simon’s Town base and was deputy station commander for 15 years before he held the post of station commander for two years. He now assists the station as operational shore crew.

Chops was also a founding member of the False Bay Voluntary Emergency Medical Service based at the False Bay Hospital, which was the only EMS service in the Southern Peninsula for many years. His involvement with the Sea Scouts lasted 35 years and led directly to some extremely valuable members, including two station commanders, joining the Simon’s Town station.

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‘Chops’ (left) receiving his 45-year service award in 2014 from former NSRI chairman Peter Bacon

He plans to continue coming down to the base for Sunday training every weekend, to the call-outs to act as shore crew, and to advise on important decisions that affect the present and future of the Simon’s Town base.

His outstanding service has been recognised by the City of Cape Town, which honoured his 40 years of community service; Simon’s Town honoured him with the Mayor’s Award; and Metro Ambulance Service named Chops the Best Emergency Medical Volunteer of 2000/1, to name a few. Without a doubt, he has achieved legend status in the community and within Sea Rescue.

He plans to continue coming down to the base for Sunday training every weekend, to the call-outs to act as shore crew, and to advise on important decisions that affect the present and future of the Simon’s Town base. It is his hope, and that of the entire crew of Station 10,

that Uncle Chops continues his valuable contribution to the community.

The current Simon’s Town station commander, Darren Zimmerman, describes Chops as a Station 10 legend.

Darren values his years of experience and often consults with such senior members of Station 10 on station management and operational matters.

Having this wealth of knowledge and experience within a Sea Rescue station adds huge value to an organisation and should never be ignored or taken for granted. Station 10 is honoured to have the longest-serving operational member of the NSRI at its rescue station.

By Wendy Crowther

NEWS

NSRI FAMILY On 9 January one of our trainee coxswains at Station 25 Hartbeespoort Dam Jacques van Dyk tied the knot with Marcel. With this being a family station, almost all the crew were involved in the event. The caterers, DJ, photographer and even a professional make-up artist were NSRI rescue crew members. The venue was just outside Hartbeespoort, roughly 10km from the station. As fate would have it, halfway through the official exchange of vows a call-out interrupted proceedings. A mother was concerned about her children who were overdue on the dam and the approaching storm was making her anxious. Thankfully it wasn’t long before we established that the family was safe ashore, and the wedding could go on. We would like to wish Jacques and Marcel a happy and prosperous life together.

From left: Gert and Beulah Scheepers, Rieghard Janse van Rensburg, Elmarié and Clive Husband

LOCAL SUPPORT Thank you to the residents and visitors of Jeffreys Bay, who helped us raise more than R47 000 in our Street Collection in December.

We’d also like to thank the owners of the two houses in Anaboom Street sincerely for all their effort and hard work in setting up the Christmas lights and in the process bringing joy to so many little children, as well as raising R12 170 for NSRI Jeffreys Bay.

THANKS FOR NEW DOORS AND WINDOWS A big thank you to DIX Aluminium for sponsoring (manufacturing and installing) three new doors and three new windows, as well as servicing the remaining windows at NSRI Bakoven free of charge (valued at close to R80 000). Their installers worked over weekends up to 10pm to get the job done. They really went the extra mile and we’re very happy with the results.

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SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2016 /

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CAPTURING A MOMENT

Stuart Black, one of our rescue crew from Station 6 (Port Elizabeth), had this Instagram image selected for the #hpsapeopleofpurpose. Sea Rescue was selected as a feature on @instagram_sa. To see some of Stuart’s other beautiful photos, check out his portfolio on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/crazyninja88/

JOIN THE IMPI CHALLENGE Our rescuers have a culture of personal fitness and never shy away from a challenge. This year our friends at Mitsubishi are partnering with Impi and they have arranged a special deal for all NSRI rescuers. Impi is an obstacle-course trail run set in natural surroundings. Visit https://entries.impichallenge.co.za/ events to check venues, dates and distance options.

THANK YOU, CUMMINS Since Station 3 (Table Bay) received their deep-sea rescue boat Spirit of Vodacom, Cummins South Africa has been proudly servicing the outboard generator as an act of goodwill.

We would like to say a very big thank you to them for taking this on every year and ensuring that our generator is in tip-top shape.

24 / SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2016

THANKS TO MADSWIMMER In our last issue we featured Madswimmer, who took on a swim on the world’s highest volcano, Mount Ojos del Salado in Chile. Thank you for including NSRI’s WaterWise Academy as one of your charities and for donating R10 000 to help us save these young lives.

hank you again for the invite to the NSRI year-end function and especially for your very kind words. It has been a truly humbling experience encountering the dedicated group of volunteers that are NSRI Knysna. Ego, status, social standing – all of our modern society trappings are left at the door. The men and women of Station 12’s selfless, dedicated service to the greater Knysna community is worth so much more than just my admiration and respect. For however brief a period, my limited support of NSRI Station 12 has left me richer for the experiences that I shared with you and the team.

Nicholas Thorne, Hospital Manager, Life Knysna Private Hospital and Life Knysna Frailcare

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here are many ‘charities’ out there, or at least organisations such as yourselves that require sponsorship – but few seem so well organised, so publicly involved and so open about where the money goes, and so forth. Andrew, whom I spoke to at the Titanic exhibition, was friendly (not pushy at all), eager to explain what you do and the impact you’re having, and completely honest about the funding, its purpose, and such. I’ve been looking for a charitable organisation to support for some time now, actually, and yours is the first that I felt comfortable with.

Thanks for your effort.

Thinus Prinsloo

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NEWS

THANKS TO JOHN BENN

WE HAVE A WINNER!

Congratulations to Mr Kleibeler (right), who won the Outdoor Warehouse voucher for his early-bird contribution to our ‘Breaking New Ground’ August appeal letter in aid of our Kommetjie rescue base.

NSRI Station 12 (Knysna) would like to thank the John Benn/ Featherbed Company for the very generous donation of 15 Crew Saver life jackets. Their very kind donation will enable us to replace our current life jackets, some of which have been in use for the past 20 years. When our selfless and brave volunteers head out to sea in the very worst conditions or go into gorges or gullies to rescue tourists, we need to ensure that both the rescuers and the casualties have the very best personal protective gear, both visible and functional, for safe passage – your generosity has made this possible.

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LIFE BOAT CIRCLE

COME ON, JOIN US!

UPCOMING EVENTS 14TH APRIL: 10am for brunch (R90 for guests, no charge for members.)

TEA AND TOURS:

Learn more about the NSRI and come on a tour of the rescue base. See where the boats are launched and find out more about how volunteers are trained and how we operate. Tours of Simon’s Town, Kommetjie, Hout Bay and V & A Waterfront will be arranged. Please call Elaine on 021 709 0844 or 082 990 5976 if you’d like to join the tour and enjoy a cup of tea with us.

Above: Janet hosted an event at the Kloof Country Club in Durban.

Above: Robert and Maureen Price joined us for brunch at the Millhouse Kitchen in Somerset West.

Above: Janet and Kim spent time with our supporters in Gauteng.

A special thank you to our accommodation sponsors at City Lodge Port ELizabeth and Tsogo Sun East London, as well as Spinning Reel Beach Cottages and Kelly’s Beachfront Self Catering Apartments in Port Alfred.

THANK YOU FOR THE DONATIONS RECEIVED BIRTHDAYS: Natalie, John Munro, Jeff Gordon (60th), Dotti von Ulmenstein (60th), Seymour Pritchard (70th), Peta Broomberg (50th), Veronica Carter.

IN MEMORY OF: Patrick and David. IN HONOUR OF: Anthony Murray, Alan Gordon, Paddy Blount, Johan de Ridder, Fred and Liesbeth Clausen, Terry Butler, Dr T van der Walt, Prof E Nilhaut, Jean Redelinghuys, Ed Jordan.

We also undertook the ceremony of scattering the ashes for Elmerette and John Maidment in December 2015 in Hermanus.

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Benjamin Hotel, 141 Florida Road, Durban (parking available in the street) Guest speaker Ken Gillings: ‘The Prince Imperial’s Last Journey’ 26 APRIL: 11:30am for 12:00 for a light lunch Atlantic Beach Hotel, Melkbosstrand 5 MAY: 10am for tea The Daily Coffee Café, Paarl Mall 18 MAY: 11am for tea Europa Restaurant, Village Square, Hermanus 19 MAY: 11am for tea Krystal Beach Hotel, Harbour Island, Gordon’s Bay 24 MAY: 10am for tea The Millhouse Kitchen, Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West 7 JUNE: 1pm for lunch Flava Café and Restaurant, George Rd, Wilderness 9 JUNE: 1pm for lunch East Head Café, 25 George Rex Dr, Knysna 14 JUNE: 11am for tea Essence Restaurant, Huguenot Square, Franschhoek 7 JULY: 12 noon for lunch Inside Sports Lounge and Restaurant, Vodacom Golf Driving Range, Rosmead Avenue, Wynberg, Cape Town (lots of parking available on the premises) Life boat Circle members join us at no charge and guests pay R100 for the lunch events RSVP: Stephanie 021 434 4011 or info@searescue.org.za

PRETTY. DEADLY. When Chinese Lanterns, also known as Sky Lanterns, are released from beaches, they are often mistaken for emergency distress flares. NSRI volunteers then launch rescue boats and spend hours looking for people in difficulty.

Chinese Lanterns are also harmful to the environment and are a fire hazard.

SR Magazine Lantern Ad 225 x 170.indd 1

2016-03-10 14:29:20

REAL-LIFE RESCUE

Due to the combined efforts of Air Sea Rescue, the SAAF and Emergency Medical Services, a severely injured fisherman is evacuated to safety.

By Cherelle Leong

I

t was a typical Cape Town summer’s day – hot, with sunny skies and strong winds. Across the peninsula rescue services were being kept busy with calls of swimmers in distress in both Gordon’s Bay and Strandfontein. At the same time Cape Town Port Control received a call from the Fishing Vessel Christo Rei, located approximately 30 miles southwest of Slangkop lighthouse. In a freak accident, a crewman had become entangled in one of the longliner’s winches and was in a critical condition. This would be a call for Station 29 – Air Sea Rescue.

On the tarmac at Ysterplaat, temperatures soared above 40˚C as the rescue team assembled. Station 29 works with SAAF’s 22 Squadron and Cape Town Emergency Medical Services, so the rescue crew comprised SAAF pilots and flight engineers, Metro paramedics and, from Sea Rescue, rescue swimmer Marc de Vos and rescue officer Andre Beuster.

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The flight to FV Christo Rei didn’t take long – but that was the easy part. Once they were on the scene the crew quickly established that this would be a very technical rescue. The sea conditions were rough, with 3-4m swells and winds gusting 20-30 knots. Even with the casualty vessel steering into the swell, it would require precision flying, accurate communications and quick decision-making.

Unlike bulk cargo carriers that have large flat decks, fishing trawlers are notoriously difficult to board from the air. Think of trying to approach a porcupine. Between the winches, cables, crates and antennae sticking up in all directions, access points are limited.

After circling overhead it was established that the safest landing point would be a small metal plate on the port stern quarter. But even this would be challenging, as rescue swimmer Marc de Vos would have only seconds

to land and unclip from the winch as the vessel rode the 3m swells.

Once safely on board, the winch was once again sent up so that Metro paramedic Sahid Osman could be next to board the vessel. The second winch was made slightly easier as Marc was able to manage a longline from below, guiding Sahid to the safety of the landing area. The next step involved navigating a narrow passageway to the mid-deck where the injured man was located.

Initially reports indicated that the man was still trapped in the winch, but in the interim he’d been freed and was lying on a mattress covered with blankets to make him more comfortable while attempts were made to stop the bleeding.

An initial survey confirmed that the patient’s injuries were too severe to use a basket to hoist him. With two broken femurs, severe lacerations and a partial amputation, a stretcher would

PHOTOGRAPHS: SUPPLIED

TRUE TEAMWORK

PHOTOGRAPHS: SUPPLIED

Clockwise from top left: Rescue swimmer Marc de Vos deploying on the first winch out to the Christo Rei; Metro paramedics Antoinette Burrows and Sahid Osman assessing and treating the casualty; reassuring the patient on the flight to Groote Schuur Hospital.

be needed. Surprisingly the man was conscious and lucid, despite the trauma of his injuries. The decision was made to load the patient – blankets, mattress and all – into the stretcher to limit the amount of movement. The challenge was, once the patient was packaged into the stretcher, to get him down the narrow passageway to the hoisting point at the stern of the fishing vessel.

It’s at times like this when a rescuer’s instincts kick in, using every bit of physical strength and mental acumen to accomplish what needs to be done. Getting the patient to the hoisting site was only the first hurdle. Once there, it was determined that the helicopter would not be able to do a simple vertical lift because of a roof overhang protruding over the plate. Instead, once off the plate, the stretcher would need to be swung out over the water while being safely managed by a longline until it’s clear of the vessel. Only then could the patient be hoisted up into the aircraft. It would require precise coordination and timing between the team and flawless flying skills on the part of the pilot.

Thanks to great teamwork, the patient was loaded into the helicopter without incident. With the medivac completed, the final two hoists saw Marc and Sahid safely into the helicopter.

An hour and 20 minutes later, just as the sun was beginning to dip towards the horizon, the helicopter headed for Groote Schuur Hospital. The hospital staff, having being notified, were already prepping for emergency surgery, and the patient would be in good hands.

Even though the road to recovery will be long, requiring extensive surgery and rehabilitation, the fisherman is expected to make a full recovery.

It was dusk by the time the patient was handed over to the hospital staff and the crew could return to Ysterplaat.

While not long in duration, it had been a very tiring operation. Between the heat, rough sea conditions, the critical nature of the patient’s injuries and a difficult working platform, it was also one of the most challenging. Success in an operation like this is testimony to the skills and professionalism of everyone involved and is achieved by close cooperation between Sea Rescue Station 29, Cape Town Emergency Medical Services and SAAF’s 22 Squadron. Well done to all involved.

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R

obin Nel was sitting on the beach one day when he saw Station 32 (Port Edward) crew returning from a rescue. The curious 15-year-old went over to find out what was going on. Seven years down the line he was one of two first responders to a non-fatal drowning incident that nearly cost a holidaymaker his life over the December holidays. In a thank-you letter, the man whose life was saved lauded Robin, thanking him for not only going the extra mile but in fact ‘running it’ in order to help him. In August last year, Robin was also instrumental in the rescue of five teenagers caught in a rip in adverse sea conditions off To Strand in his small coastal home town.

Now 22 and a Class 4 coswain (soon to be Class 3), Robin’s contribution to Sea Rescue was forged as a teenager. While any youngster of that age would be itching to get onto the water, he had to bide his time, starting out by washing boats, helping where he could and then getting to grips with the basics. ‘It’s all land-based at first,’ he says, ‘with learning first aid, rope work, basic navigation and radio work… I learnt so much and it helped me grow up.’

While washing down boats as a newbie volunteer, Robin wouldn’t have known how volunteering would come to impact his life, or those around him, but it is exactly this ‘sense of altruism which, when nurtured in young people,

THE NEXT

benefits and grows the spirit of volunteerism in organisations like Sea Rescue’, says NSRI Operations Manager Brett Ayres. ‘NSRI regards people as one of its fundamental pillars. We have donors of all ages, our Life boat Circle caters to our retired supporters, WaterWise teaches water safety to children up to age 14, and our volunteers range in age from 16 to 74.’

It’s an impressively wide demographic, and one that NSRI’s Junior Academy is planning to grow. The purpose and benefit of training junior crew (under 16 years of age) are manifold, says Brett. Preparing children for possible future roles as volunteers is naturally one of them, but so too are teaching valuable skills

Nurturing the next generation of volunteers is what NSRI’s Junior Academy is all about. By Wendy Maritz

PHOTOGRAPHS: SUPPLIED

GENERATION

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FUTURE VOLUNTEERS

PHOTOGRAPHS: SUPPLIED

Opposite: The juniors at Station 26 (Kommetjie). Clockwise from left: A test of strength; real-life scenario training; a theory lesson to tie it all together.

(including water safety, maritime basics, teamwork and leadership), partnering with existing youth organisations in a spirit of relationship-building, extending the NSRI footprint, and encouraging the notion that what you do in a volunteer capacity – no matter your background, no matter how old you are – can benefit other South Africans.

Station 31 (Stilbaai) station commander Enrico Menezies is the first to admit that the six junior crew at his 22-crew station are a huge asset. In October last year, when a shark-bite incident took place, volunteers Arno Grebe, 16, and Lian Combrinck, 17, happened to be on the scene preparing for a surf. They lost no time at all accessing the shark emergency kit and bandaging the casualty’s wounds while the station’s duty crew was alerted. ‘I got there in less than four minutes, and these guys had done a fantastic job,’ Rico says. The casualty was taken to the station for further treatment, after which he was transported by helicopter to a hospital in George.

Rico is equally proud of his younger juniors, a group of 10 children aged between seven and 12, whom he recruited to learn the Sea Rescue ‘ropes’, literally.

Sessions focus on safety first, so it’s usually one-on-one (child to adult) or at the most two children per adult. ‘We’re teaching them what the ‘older’ juniors would learn, just slower, on a smaller scale and over a long period.’ Theory and practice are combined in the lessons

‘We respect these youngsters,’ says Rico,‘and we treat them as equals. And we’ve had a very positive response from their parents…’

that take place on a Thursday from 4pm to 5.45pm. ‘I usually get to the station early, and they’re all waiting for me already,’ Rico laughs. ‘They are enthusiastic, that’s for sure!’

‘We teach them about the currents at the river mouth, boat safety, water safety, we go through the WaterWise programme, we show them basic rope work and tying knots – often the older children will help the little ones – and instruct them on basic first aid and fire fighting, and swimming. But with us it’s safety, safety, safety,’ he emphasises.

At the end of the session, the children wash their wetsuits and hang them up, and pack away all other equipment used.

‘We respect these youngsters,’ says Rico, ‘and we treat them as equals. And we’ve had a very positive response from their parents… These children are learning SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2016 /

31

responsibility and discipline, and they’re having fun too.’

Station 26 (Kommetjie) crew member Lara Caine agrees that younger children can benefit hugely from a structured programme involving rescue and water-safety basics. Together with station commander, Ian Klopper, they organised a four-day morning programme over the December holidays last year. Ages ranged from 10 to 16; there was a good mix of boys and girls; and the Surf Shack’s outreach programme asked whether seven of their teens could join in. ‘We took the children through basic first aid, including CPR and splinting), as well as water safety, tying knots and rescue swimming. We also taught them about fire safety and fire-fighting basics, and showed them how to use a number of different fire extinguishers.’ More than half of the nearly 30 teenagers involved showed a serious interest in joining NSRI. ‘Even though it was something of a trial run, it was great to hear some of them asking, “When can I come and train again?”, and get so much positive feedback,’ Lara adds.

It’s a long-term plan with a developmental angle to it, says NSRI CEO Dr Cleeve Robertson, and in the process ‘we hope to integrate children who might

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Top: The eager juniors at Still Bay, ready for their Thursday session. Above: Getting to grips with the surf under strict supervision, and learning about rip currents.

not have had the opportunity to join a volunteer organisation before’. Cleeve and Brett agree that it’s not necessary to reinvent the wheel, and collaboration with existing youth organisations, such as Scouts, to create partnerships in

education will be an integral part of the programme’s success.

Sure, it’s about having future operational volunteer crew that will go the distance, but it’s also about instilling the idea of cooperation, teamwork, joining a family, bridging age gaps, and developing the notion of altruism that includes everyone in generations to come in South Africa.

PHOTOGRAPHS: ENRICO MENEZIES

FUTURE VOLUNTEERS

WATERWISE

KUDOS TO THE TEAM

It’s safe to say that NSRI’s WaterWise Academy has not only taught children across the country valuable water-safety messages, but also nurtured some fine instructors along the way. By Wendy Maritz

PHOTOGRAPHS: ANDREW INGRAM

‘P

ercy Mthombeni is vibrant, full of energy, and delivers the most riveting lessons. He’s a great instructor who will resort to gumboot dancing and rapping to keep the children’s attention. He gets them up on their feet chanting 1-0-1-7-7… It’s a heck of a show sometimes.’

This is how Sea Rescue’s marketing and public education manager, Andrew Ingram, describes the young man who sat riveted himself when WaterWise instructor Kenneth Gagela visited his school a few years back. Kenneth’s inspired message, his love for teaching and interactive methods got Percy thinking that this was something he too could do, and would indeed love to do.

Percy approached Kenneth to ask him how he could become involved, offering to shadow him while he gave his lessons in order to learn the material well enough to teach it himself eventually. His determination paid off, and after working as an unpaid volunteer he was able to interview for a permanent position.

WaterWise instructors are rather special. They’re employed not only for their ability to teach, their passion for safety

and for children, but also what they bring to their communities as a whole. Linda Gedesi Ntebe is the newest member of the team, and is teaching in Gugulethu and Nyanga, where she grew up. She is a mother and a respected member of the community, and is fast becoming known as ‘the lady who teaches water safety’.

This is important, says Andrew, because she speaks the language – literally and figuratively – of her community.

‘Putting everything in’ seems to come naturally to the 10 permanent instructors who fill their days proactively teaching kids to save lives. CPR, peer rescue and calling emergency services for help are the fundamentals that these teachers wrap up and deliver in their own special and highly effective way. Poppy Zondani, who recently joined the team and is teaching water safety at schools in the Port Elizabeth area, went out with Station 6 crew to better understand what rip currents look like, from the sea and from the beach. Being proactive in this way means she can inform the children about the dangers of rips and how quickly swimmers can be pulled in. She teaches caution but she is a complete dynamo, says Andrew.

When Percy goes to Limpopo for his annual leave, he takes his resus doll along. Often he’ll end up like a benevolent Pied Piper gathering children around him, settling them under a tree and teaching them the basics of CPR and peer rescue. This isn’t just his job, it’s a personal mission!

The same can be said of Desireé Pinetown, Eoudia Erasmus, Charles McHelm, Zanele Bushwane, Liza Wigley and Debra Smith, the other members of the team. A rather endearing moment happened after Charles informed a group of primary-school students never to practise CPR on another live person.

Some of the Grade 4 children had brought their teddy bears to school, so Charles suggested using them as props.

The thinking was that they could then go back and show their families how to perform CPR too… on the teddies.

And that’s another trait these dedicated instructors share: a flair for innovation and thinking on their feet!

For more information and to find out how to support NSRI’s WaterWise programme, visit nsri.org.za/waterwise

Top left: One of Percy’s ‘hands-on’ workshops. Top: Kenneth, Euodia and Percy.

Above: ‘Dynamo’ Poppy teaches the kids the 10177 rap song.

SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2016 /

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An unexpected

ADVENTURE On a recent visit to Tanzania, Cherelle Leong discovers a harsh, beautiful land, that is full of surprises.

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making it an extremely steep and technical climb.

Climbing a volcano by night isn’t something most people envision doing when on safari, but it was an adventure I couldn’t resist. As much as I’d heard about the incredible wildlife viewing on the Serengeti plains, I also knew it could get crowded with safari vehicles. I was quite content to take the road less travelled and enjoy the many unusual sights with an adventure or two along the way.

Travelling to Ol Doinyo Lengai and Lake Natron by road the previous day

had been heartbreaking. Especially after having visited Tarangire with its towering baobabs and many elephants. The plains are barren, a result of severe overgrazing. There is nothing except for the occasional bare thorn tree. The cattle and people alike are skeletal and you wonder what meager nutrition they have to try survive on. The Maasai have an interesting culture, and the dancing and singing around the campfire had been a memorable experience, but it’s very apparent that the land can’t support the ever-increasing herds of cattle and

PHOTOGRAPHS: PAUL LEONG

I

t was the middle of the night, and pitch dark. Overhead the storm clouds covered what moonlight we might have had. Off to our right we heard the distinctive cackle of hyena – a good incentive to keep moving. We still had at least six hours of steep trekking to the summit and, even though the hot and humid atmosphere had us sweating, the adventure was only just beginning.

Just about everything leading up to this point had been unexpected. The invitation to visit Tanzania. The incredible wildlife sightings and baobabs of Tarangire we’d seen the day before. And now we were setting out to climb what the Maasai called ‘The Mountain of God’.

At an altitude just over 3 000m, it’s not your average hike. Ol Doinyo Lengai is an active volcano located near the shores of Lake Natron in Tanzania.

The volcano’s last lava eruption was in 2003 and the hardened black flows are still clearly visible by day. In 2007 it erupted once again, this time spewing tonnes of volcanic ash into the air for months on end. The result is a brittle crust that covers the slopes and extends down into the valley below,

TRAVEL

PHOTOGRAPHS: PAUL LEONG

Clockwise (from left): A Maasai welcome at Lake Natron; no safari vehicles but ours; wildebeest on the move; a lone lioness on the hunt; a misty sunrise on the summit and crater rim of Ol Doinyo Lengai.

goats. They pray for rain – but, I wonder, will it be enough?

Even though it’s a harsh land, Lake Natron is yet another unusual site. This large caustic lake is home to millions of flamingoes. Unlike other creatures that are unable to tolerate the very high alkalinity of the lake’s water, the flamingoes aren’t bothered by it. They feed in the shallows and use the lake as a safe haven to breed.

Yet what I loved most about our road trip were the unexpected sightings along the way. Leaving Lake Natron, we had to muscle our way through a herd of a few hundred goats crowding the route. Just as we came up over the rise, there was a huge male cheetah, casually strolling along the road. You’ve never seen a roof pop up so quickly, or five cameras train onto a subject! What made this particularly special was that we were deep in Maasai land and very far away from any

wildlife reserves. There are no fences in Tanzania: while there are known boundaries, wild animals are free to roam as they wish. As with the great wildebeest migrations, their movements are often determined by the rains and the availability of food and grazing.

The effect of rain on the landscape is

expanses of the Serengeti and the many animals. From a vantage point, everywhere you look there is wildlife. Giraffe, elephant, eland, zebra, impala, baboon, eagles and vultures. We even got to see a lioness on the hunt and hear an elusive leopard huffing outside our tent one night. In the Serengeti you are so completely immersed in the wildlife experience you want to forget about the outside world and stay there forever… If only we could.

There are no fences in Tanzania: while there are known boundaries, wild animals are free to roam as they wish. dramatic. As we turned east it changed from barren earth to lush, green, dense vegetation. The rains had come early and had been heavier than normal, resulting in an abundance of growth.

Everything seemed more vibrant and the sense of anticipation was high – we were finally in the Serengeti!

As much as you hear about it, nothing can prepare you for the vast

However, like the wildebeest on their eternal quest for grazing, we had to move on. The herds were moving south and so were we. It was almost as if the vast, dark tide of animals was our honorary escort as we left the Serengeti and were transported into another world.

Imagine a time when humans roamed wild and free from the stress of modern life… In Tanzania, we could.

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GETAWAYS

Coastal camping This autumn, head off to the coast to one of a number of congenial camping sites. Catherine Hofmeyr has a few suggestions.

SCOTTBURGH CARAVAN PARK, KWAZULU-NATAL

The South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal has a camp resort for every budget and preference, from luxurious privacy to mucking in with the mob. Cheap, cheerful and on the beach, Scottburgh is not the place if you don’t want to smell your neighbour’s potjie cooking. But when a 268-site caravan park is chock-a-block full out of season, they’ve got to be doing a lot right.

This park’s popularity stems largely from its on-the-beach location, which stretches for the park’s full 1.5km length. It’s also well located in the holiday village of Scottburgh, with restaurants, shops and a lifeguard-patrolled beach on the doorstep. It’s a park for all – pensioners fill it in off-season and families flock there over holidays.

On the downside, sites are small so there’s a sardine-tin feeling when the place is full, shade is fairly sparse and you’re in the wind. But, hey, that’s camping! Call 039-976-0291 or visit www.ScottburghCaravanPark.co.za

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Pitch your tent at the intimate little campsite at De Hoop Reserve in the Southern Cape, and it could be just you, surrounded by nature on all sides. There are only 10 stands, and outside of peak periods it’s very quiet. The camp perches above a vlei that is home to hundreds of birds. Even if you aren’t a twitcher, camping at De Hoop might turn you into one – so don’t forget your binoculars. Bring mountain bikes, too, and ditch the car for the duration of your stay.

Each campsite has a power point and there is a basic communal kitchen but it’s best to take all your own cooking goodies.

The reserve itself has it all: sea, sand dunes, a vlei, rare fynbos plants, diverse antelope and, from July to November, your own whale show. Snakes aside, there are no dangerous creatures so hikers and mountain bikers are free to roam the paths and tracks, keeping company with bontebok, Cape mountain zebra and eland.

Or ramble along a beach-side boardwalk and stop off to snorkel in turquoise rock pools. In the unlikely event that you tire of nature, there’s a tennis court, a swimming pool and a boules courtyard.

Call 021-422-4522 or visit www.dehoopcollection.com

PHOTOGRAPHS: SUPPLIED

DE HOOP NATURE RESERVE, OVERBERG

STORMS RIVER CAMP, TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK

If it’s seaside camping you’re after, you won’t get much closer than at the Storms River Camp in the Tisitsikamma National Park.

The immaculate campsite is set on grassy terraces above the rock pools and booming breakers beyond. Open the tent flap and you’re likely to see whales and dolphins without having to get out of your sleeping bag. Behind you stretch coastal fynbos, indigenous forest and the looming Tsitsikamma Mountains. The only negative is that the camping area is exposed to wind and sea spray, and there’s very little shade (insider tip: book Site 19 adjacent to a milkwood tree). There are good ablutions, washing-up areas and a laundry.

The park offers plenty of walking trails and, of course, you have to do the Mouth Trail over the famous suspension bridge. I can recommend the kayaking and Lilo adventure up the Storms River Gorge, and there’s a snorkelling trail when the sea is friendly too.

Visit www.sanparks.co.za

MABIBI CAMP, MAPUTALAND

Suited to adventurous campers, Mabibi Camp on the Maputaland coast of KwaZulu-Natal takes fortitude and a good 4x4 to get there. But once you arrive, you’re in coastal heaven. The rustic, community-run camp (in conjunction with Thonga Beach Lodge) has 10 stands, each tucked into its own private glade of coastal dune forest. There’s no electricity but the camp has clean ablutions with flush loos.

The real allure of Mabibi lies at the foot of 137 wooden steps down a dune – endless biscuit-coloured beaches, lonely headlands, absent humanity. At low tide, in the nooks and crannies of a vast rock pool you’ll find some of the best snorkelling anywhere in South Africa. Even novice and young snorkellers will get to meet Nemo, Dory, parrots, idols, coachmen and little gobies. There’s also good fishing or scuba diving through Thonga Beach Lodge (www.thongabeachlodge.co.za). Mabibi is in the Maputaland Coastal Forest Reserve about 40km north of Sodwana Bay. Call 035-474-1504 or visit www.mabibicampsite.co.za

PHOTOGRAPHS: SUPPLIED

FOREVER PLETTENBERG, KEURBOOMS RIVER, NEAR PLETTENBERG BAY

The Garden Route is blessed with myriad spectacular coastal campsites including Victoria Bay, Wilderness, Buffels Bay and Plett itself. But my old favourite will always be Forever’s resort near the mouth of the Keurbooms River, just outside Plett. Watery lapping sounds lull you to sleep at night and huge indigenous trees provide shade and a launchpad for inquisitive vervet monkeys in the day.

It’s the perfect spot from which to explore the surrounding Keurbooms Nature Reserve – on foot, or by boat or canoe. You could do the overnight canoe trail up the Keurbooms or hire a canoe from the Cape Nature office on the opposite bank (www.capenature.co.za). Even for novices, the fishing’s pretty rewarding, and the resort offers boat excursions, tennis courts, a swimming pool and lots of fun and games over peak-holiday periods. Call 012-423-5600 or visit www.foreverplettenberg.co.za SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2016 /

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Otters are a contradictory bunch.

Family orientated and seemingly fun-loving on the one hand, and somewhat murderous on the other. Naturalist Georgina Jones tells us more.

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T

he root of the word otter has the same root as the word for water, ancient humans obviously having been just as impressed with otters’ aquatic ease as modern humans are. To see a family of otters frolicking in shore waves of an evening or early morning is always a treat. They take such apparent enjoyment in the water. It’s easy to see why one of the collective nouns for otters is a romp.

But it’s not always an innocent romp.

That otters can be very badly behaved is well known to farmers of poultry and keepers of fish. They can behave like minks, killing many of the captive animals and eating only a few choice pieces of some of them.

This is not that surprising. They belong to the same family as weasels, polecats, honey badgers, wolverines, and, yes, minks – so a family resem-

blance in behaviour is perhaps to be expected. There are 13 species of otters globally and all are at least semiaquatic. Sea otters are the most marine of all the otters, even mating and giving birth at sea. The Cape (or African) clawless otter is somewhat less adapted to water and spends large amounts of time on land, but is almost always seen in water or along the water’s edge.

African clawless otters can be found in most areas of Africa, in rivers, estuaries, lagoons, lakes and dams as well as along the shoreline, provided they can get to fresh water to drink. Unlike the only other African species, the spotted-necked otter, African clawless otters prefer running water. They also need access to dense vegetation, rocks or banks in which to burrow for cover during the day. They are the second-largest species of otter – only the giant otter of

PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK

WATER BABIES

SEA CREATURES

PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK

They are extremely playful animals, body-surfing in waves, sliding into rivers, occasionally playing with swimming humans.

the Amazon in South America is larger – and may grow to an impressive 1.6m in length, weighing in at 18kg.

They mostly eat crabs and frogs, feeling for them with their nimble clawless five-toed front paws. They crush the crabs and swallow them shell and all. Otters living at the seashore have a different diet, mostly eating fish. These they hunt by sight and eat from the head to the tail. Interestingly, spotted-necked otters eat the fish they catch tail first. Clawless otters also use their long whiskers to detect moving prey. Where freshwater mussels are available, they will use an anvil stone to smash the shells, holding the shell in their front paws to smash it against the stone, and have been seen throwing larger mussels to smash them and get at their flesh.

They swim using their webbed hind feet for propulsion and their thick tails as rudders, cruising along with their heads out of the water and then diving for up to 30 seconds. They lack an insulating fat layer and rely on their pelts and guard hairs to keep warm.

After swimming, clawless otters will dry themselves by rubbing themselves on plants, the ground or against rocks.

They are extremely playful animals, body-surfing in waves, sliding into rivers, occasionally playing with swimming humans. They are territorial (males in the Tsitsikamma are known to have ranges of 9km-13km) and are usually seen alone, in pairs or in small family groups.

They are usually active in the late afternoon or early morning, and shelter in dens known as holts during the day. The holts may simply be in dense vegetation or otherwise under rocks or in burrows that the otters will dig themselves, often with a second entrance.

These are lined with grass for insulation.

Adult otters tend to be solitary, and males and females meet to mate for short periods. The gestation period is about two months. Litters of not more than

three pups are born at the end of the dry season, varying according to region.

This means pups are born in December to February in the Western and Eastern Cape and in July to September in KwaZulu-Natal. They are raised by the female and are usually weaned after two months. The young are fully grown after a year. Considerably more rare and lesser known than its clawless cousin, the spotted-necked otter is much smaller at 1.1m in length and with a maximum weight of 6kg. Its small size may explain why spotted-necked otters carry objects in their mouths, while clawless otters hold things against their chests.

Unfortunately shore-based otters are being heavily affected by human fishing pressure, whereas vegetation clearing and industrial, agricultural and housing developments limit their habitat. Otters are also affected by water pollution, which they do not tolerate well. This makes them an excellent indicator of water health. Growing otter populations will show us that we are doing a good job of stewarding our water resources.

As an animal whose very name comes from water, this seems appropriate.

Main: Living up to its name, a sea otter enjoys a watery romp.

Above: A pair of African clawless otters.

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STATION DIRECTORY The NSRI is manned by more than 1 000 volunteers at 35 bases around the coast and on three inland dams. Our volunteers have day jobs but will always respond to your emergency.

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BAKOVEN Bruce Davidson 082 990 5962 TABLE BAY Pat van Eyssen 082 990 5963 MYKONOS Casper Frylinck

082 990 5966 DURBAN Clifford Ireland 082 990 5948 PORT ELIZABETH Ian Gray 082 990 0828 EAST LONDON Geoff McGregor 082 990 5972 HOUT BAY Lyall Pringle 082 990 5964 GORDON’S BAY Anton Prinsloo 072 448 8482 SIMON’S TOWN Darren Zimmermann 082 990 5965 PORT ALFRED Juan Pretorius 082 990 5971 KNYSNA Jerome Simonis 082 990 5956 PLETTENBERG BAY Marc Rodgers (Acting) 082 990 5975 MOSSEL BAY André Fraser 082 990 5954 STRANDFONTEIN Mario Fredericks 082 990 6753

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40 / SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2016

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HERMANUS Deon Langenhoven 082 990 5967 MELKBOSSTRAND Rhine Barnes 082 990 5958 RICHARDS BAY Dorian Robertson 082 990 5949 SHELLY BEACH Jeremiah Jackson 082 990 5950 ST FRANCIS BAY Paul Hurley 082 990 5969 VAAL DAM Dick Manten 083 626 5128 WILDERNESS Hennie Niehaus 082 990 5955 LAMBERT’S BAY Marius Louw 060 960 3027 HARTBEESPOORT DAM Rod Pitter 082 990 5961

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STN 26 KOMMETJIE StatCom: Ian Klopper

082 990 5979 STN 27 VICTORIA LAKE, GERMISTON StatCom: Graham Hartlett

082 441 6989 STN 28A PORT ST JOHNS StatCom: John Costello

082 550 5430 STN 29 AIRBORNE SEA RESCUE StatCom: Andy Connell

082 990 5980 STN 30 AGULHAS StatCom: Reinard Geldenhuys

082 990 5952 STN 31 STILL BAY StatCom: Enrico Menezies

082 990 5978 STN 32 PORT EDWARD StatCom: John Nicholas

082 990 5951 STN 33 WITSAND StatCom: Attie Gunter

082 990 5957 STN 34 YZERFONTEIN StatCom: Willem Lubbe

082 990 5974 STN 35 WITBANK StatCom: Dean Wegerle

060 962 2620 STN 36 OYSTER BAY StatCom: Mark Mans

082 990 5968 STN 37 JEFFREYS BAY StatCom: Rieghard Janse

van Rensburg

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GENERAL NEEDS

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Data projectors and speakers or flat-screen TVs for training • GoPros or similar waterproof devices to film training sessions • Good-quality waterproof binoculars • Prizes for golf days and fundraising events • Towels for casualties • Groceries such as tea, coffee, sugar and cleaning materials • Long-life energy bars • Wet and dry vacuum cleaners • Dehumidifiers • Small generators • Good-quality toolkits • Top-up supplies for medical kits • Waterproof pouches for cellphones • Tea cups/coffee mugs/glasses for functions • Training room chairs.

You can also make a cash or EFT donation and let us know which rescue base you would like to support.

Cheques can be mailed to: NSRI, PO Box 154, Green Point 8051.

Deposits can be made at: ABSA, Heerengracht branch Branch code: 506 009 Account number: 1382480607 Account holder: National Sea Rescue Institute Swift code: ABSA-ZA-JJ If you choose to do an EFT, please use your telephone number as a unique reference so that we are able to acknowledge receipt.

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