NSRI Sea Rescue Autumn 2017

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OPLEIDING 2017/02/23 10:47 AM

CONTENTS 28 AUTUMN 2017

8

30 34

2 8

LETTERS A CLOSE SHAVE Allan Spies describes his eventful New Year’s Day.

10

THE HEROES NEXT TO US Eyewitness accounts of the flooding on the N3 in Johannesburg.

12

DON’T PANIC! Valuable lessons in water safety and rip currents make all the difference for a Plett mom and her daughter.

14

FIRE ON THE BOAT! Tragedy strikes Prime Time on Hartbeespoort Dam.

16

STELLA’S TALE OF SURVIVAL What happened when little sea dog Stella found herself alone on an unmanned boat.

14 19

KIDS’ CLUB Plenty of fun and games for the young ones.

24

A NEAR ENCOUNTER A 4m shark, three paddlers and an explosion of ‘sand, spray and teeth’. Find out what happened next.

26

‘MY WORST NIGHTMARE!’ A two-year old is found floating in a swimming pool.

28

OTTO THE TURTLE The rescue, rehabilitation and release of Otto.

30

IN THE NEWS Fundraising drives, events and station news.

33 34

LIFE BOAT CLUB News from our retired members.

36 38 40

THE HEART OF EDEN Join us on a trip to Witsand.

‘ONMOONTLIK’ BESTAAN NIE! Ekstreme swemmer Toni Enderli verduidelik hoekom.

EXTREME ABILITY Dries Millard’s story.

STATION DIRECTORY

SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2017 /

1

FROM THE HELM

THE CREW THE PUBLISHING PARTNERSHIP

T

MANAGING EDITOR Wendy Maritz

he year 2017 is a special one for the NSRI as we celebrate 50 years of service to the world by a special breed of volunteer who dares to go out into a raging sea when everyone else is coming in. By now you have surely read our brief collection of short stories, Into a Raging Sea – you probably couldn’t put it down. I certainly identified with so many of those very personal and remarkable accounts of the difference people make doing exceptional things in an incredible spirit of passion and enthusiasm for humanity in a maritime context.

Great read!

I think what those stories are about is not the weather, boats or equipment but the incredible character and nature of a ‘professional’ but volunteer crew who go to rescue people they never knew and who may never know them! The tenacity, endurance, compassion and physical and mental resilience that rescue under such austere conditions demands is expressed wonderfully by Andrew Ingram and Tony Weaver as they recount the verbal recollections of those volunteers and victims of our 50-year history. We have much to In celebrating 50 years I extend be proud of as South Africans in an open invitation to donors, having evolved a service of such stature and quality. members, crew, Life boat Club In celebrating 50 years supporters and anyone who has I extend an open invitation to made or wishes to make a condonors, members, crew, Life boat Club supporters and anyone who tribution to join us at any of our has made or wishes to make a stations around the country during contribution to join us at any of our stations around the country one of the planned open days. during one of the planned open days. Every station will celebrate the event locally in their own way and it would be fantastic to have everyone around to share memories and reacquaint themselves with the service.

No day is ever the same in sea rescue. As I write this, a cyclone is about to touch down in our neighboring Mozambique and we expect that our services will be required in providing humanitarian support in the flooded aftermath. Never a dull day.

Thank you to so many people for so much support over half a century, and for saving so many lives and ensuring so many futures. You inspire us!

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: MARKETING AND FUNDRAISING Meriel Bartlett CELL 082 994 7555 EMAIL meriel@searescue.org.za PUBLIC RELATIONS Megan Hughes CELL 083 443 7319 EMAIL megan@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 2017. 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.

DR CLEEVE ROBERTSON, CEO

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PRINTING Paarl Media Cape

Contact us

ISSN 1812-0644

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 2017

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LETTERS WINNING LETTER

Thank you Meyrene and Malcolm Cowell for sharing your story. Your hamper of Slaley wine is on its way to you.

Last week, our daughter-in-law who works for Parks Board mentioned that it was the NSRI that was initially responsible for dousing the fires around our townhouse complex as the men and women from the various fire departments were battling the fast-moving towers of flames that were raging out of control in other areas. Please know that there are few words that can adequately express our gratitude and that we are keen supporters of your cause. May all who serve so tirelessly, whether at sea or on shore, know that we are indebted to you. Eventually, when we were able to get home, the sight of the scarred land, the soot, sand and smoke deepened our sense of appreciation for what all of you did so tirelessly and – let it be said – courageously.

Many years ago my husband flew helicopters in the Air Force and, at times, was instrumental in dousing fires… He says nothing like what is done now, however, watching the helicopters at work, understanding the skills involved and being on the receiving end of their tireless and inspiring dedication to a cause have been breathtaking too.

As I write, fires are still being battled all over the peninsula and beyond. May all the men and women who face these infernos with such bravery and determination be truly blessed and kept safe.

MEYRENE AND MALCOLM COWELL, SIMON’S TOWN

DEEP GRATITUDE

A

s I sit in my lounge and gaze out over the burnt field and trees, to the sea beyond, my heart is filled with deep gratitude and humbleness for what the men and women of the Cape Town City Fire Department, Working on Fire, NSRI, helicopter and fixed-wing pilots and so many other volunteers did for us on Wednesday 11 January, and what they continue to do even as I write.

Where we live on the lower slopes of Red Hill in Simon’s Town, we cannot help but be aware of the many demands made upon the Simon’s Town Fire Brigade, who serve our community so professionally all through the year. It is important for them to know that when they leave and return to base, our prayers, gratitude and respect go with them too. It has also been most comforting to have them patrol our roads this week, dousing flare-ups with speed and care.

Allan Spies and his family (see page 8).

Photograph: Rogan Ward

NSRI DIRECTORS CEO: Dr Cleeve Robertson EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS: Meriel Bartlett (Fundraising and Marketing), Mark Hughes (Operations), Mark Koning (Finance).

GOVERNANCE BOARD: Ronnie Stein (Chairman) MEMBERS: Deon Cloete, Viola Manuel, Chris Nissen, Dave Robins, Karl Otto, Rob Stirrat, Randall Titus.

OPERATIONAL BOARD MEMBERS: Justin Erasmus, Brad Geyser, Dick Manten, Hennie Niehaus, Eddie Noyons (Chairman), Dave Roberts. HONORARY LIFE GOVERNORS David Abromowitz, Peter Bacon, Allan Cramb, Howard Godfrey, Ian Hamilton, Chris Hudson, Brian Hustler, Ian Strachan, Hennie Taljaard.

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SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2017 /

3

LETTERS INTO A RAGING SEA We have just finished reading Into a Raging Sea. What a fantastic job Andrew and Tony have done! It is a fitting tribute as the NSRI celebrates its 50th anniversary.

We were moved greatly by so many of the stories. Stories that had to be told in the words of those who lived them, thereby enabling the rest of us to understand a little better what the nature and character of the NSRI volunteer really is.

The NSRI should be the pride of the nation. This book goes a long way to achieving that objective.

JOHN AND CATHY ROLT I purchased Into a Raging Sea last month. What a well-composed, interesting, moving, dramatic and emotional book. An excellent read taking us deep into the true courage, fears, feelings, bravery and camaraderie of our very special NSRI crews.

Very well written by Tony Weaver and Andrew Ingram.

Here we experience the true inside stories of heroism – not the soft, brief versions of newspapers. I recommend that each person, public or members of shore crew and friends,

purchase this book. You will not be able to put it down.

P-J HANNABUS I have just finished reading Into a Raging Sea – the collection of memorable NSRI rescues. I don’t mind admitting that I was tearful on occasions. Like I said when I spoke at the 40-year celebration at Station 19: ‘There can be no greater privilege than to save a man’s life.

And then deliver him home to his kids and his wife.’

Yours in safe sailing, KELVIN THOMAS THANKS TO CREWS DURING THE PE2EL 2016 PADDLING EVENT The paddlers cannot stop enthusing about the level of coverage on land and sea. The professional manner in which all incidents were handled is a testimony to the skills, training and passion of the entire NSRI crew. On a personal note, a massive thank you to Ian Gray for his patience and sense of humour in responding to all my questions and concerns. We are so proud to be associated with such exceptional people.

RICHARD TEBBUTT

On 17 December 2016, crews from Station 10 (Simon’s Town) and Station 26 (Kommetjie) provided safety for the 200 surfski paddlers taking part in the annual Fenn Cape Point Challenge. The 50km race starts at Scarborough and ends at Fish Hoek, taking the competitors around the spectacular cliffs and reefs of Cape Point. ‘The NSRI is always there for us,’ said race safety officer Peter Cole, ‘and we’d like to thank them once again.’ – Rob Mousley

4 / SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2017

SERENDIPITY Willie van den Heever from TJ Architects (the architects for the Station 19 rescue base) was recently on holiday in Zanzibar. Here is a rescue story from his son Mauritz (20).

On Tuesday 13 December my family and I went on a boat trip from Stone Town, Zanzibar, to Prison Island. It’s a 6km trip on a ‘traditional’ boat with a very small engine, so it takes about 30 minutes to get there. Accompanying us were two Germans, our boat’s ‘captain’ and a group of Asian tourists. Upon arrival, we went to the Giant Tortoise Sanctuary where we chilled with tortoises the size of quad bikes and aged anywhere from 50 to 198 years old.

After the island session, we returned to our boat to enjoy what should have been a lovely, relaxed snorkelling session. Arriving at the reef, I vacated the boat immediately to avoid the excitement of getting the rest of the people into the water. I must admit, it was an average snorkel, most of the reef was covered in silt, but the water was warm and we were all relaxed.

After about 15 minutes of snorkelling, I noticed that all the Asian tourists were still on the boat, along with some sort of commotion. I continued snorkelling – that is, until my mother grabbed me and said in a panic that something was wrong. It was then that I saw one of the men lying on his back on the boat.

Before I knew it I was racing back, shot up the side, fins off and I immediately started my DIY form of CPR, which is mostly based on what I’ve seen on TV. What seems to have happened just before I showed up is that the man was snorkelling, and the skipper saw him sinking. He was more than a metre under water when the skipper pulled him out and onto the boat.

I started by firmly pumping his chest with both hands. It felt solid and unresponsive, like a bag of cement. I proceeded to pry his mouth open and tried mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. When his

A happy ending. Mauritz van den Heever with Mr and Mrs Jong Whan.

chest was inflated, I immediately went back to the chest pumping. This time it felt better; there was more movement in his torso. I repeated this procedure of inflate and deflate several times, whilst having to pry his mouth open and push his tongue flat every now and then. Still no dramatic coughing up of water, or any other signs of life. I checked his pulse again and then I felt it: slow and faint.

I put my ear to his mouth and I could hear shallow breathing.

Roughly four to five minutes passed from the time he was retrieved to when I confirmed that he was breathing.

But he was still in grave danger. At this point another boat joined us to help: fortunately, on board was an Australian girl who works as a lifesaver in Sydney.

We then proceeded to turn the man on his side – the ‘recovery position’.

The next 30 minutes was a nervous mixture of nearly losing him again and him becoming annoyingly stubborn in moments of ‘consciousness’.

When we got to shore there was no ambulance – instead, the boat company organised a taxi to take us to hospital.

I must say, the taxi driver delivered.

We were racing through the narrow streets, hazards on, flashing brights, waving our arms out the windows to kindly ask oncoming traffic to give way.

MAURITZ VAN DEN HEEVER By strange coincidence the tour group continued on to Cape Town and were then able to meet up with their rescuer and his family at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West.

WILLIE VAN DEN HEEVER

Write to us and WIN!

The writer of the winning letter published in the Winter 2017 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

The schooner Sara.m in La Paz, Mexico, before a Pacific crossing.

A Christmas Gift My mate Robyn and I left Mauritius on 19 November for Port Elizabeth in our 17m schooner Sara.m.

In the first three weeks we experienced light winds and counter currents. On 23 December, we were 40 miles south of East London when the weather forecast mentioned an unseasonably strong south-westerly of 45 knots. As we were already two weeks overdue and knew that our families would be worrying about us, I chose to run for shelter at East London. The wind had been about 30 knots through the night but as we approached the breakwater at 04h30 on the morning of 24 December, the wind had dropped to about 25 knots. As the barometer had been coming up, I felt the worst was over (first mistake) and that we could safely anchor behind the breakwater until the wind dropped or changed direction and we could enter the harbour (second mistake). I was in touch with the harbour master who informed me that I was in a bad spot if the wind increased, but instead of raising anchor and heading back out to sea I chose to wait (third mistake).

By 09h00 things began to deteriorate rapidly. The harbour master informed me he had notified East London Sea Rescue, who were on their way. At about 09h30, with the wind blowing 45 knots and the sea building, Sara.m began to drag... We were in serious trouble as a lee shore lay less than a mile behind us.

I spoke to the harbour master about our situation and he gave me an ETA of 45 minutes for the rescue boat.

At about 10h00 we had dragged to within half a mile offshore. I decided it was time to cut and run out to sea.

With this in mind I buoyed the anchor, set our mainstay sail and cut loose.

Robyn was having trouble holding our

Note: As recorded by the harbour master, the wind speed reached 55 knots, with swells of 4 to 5m.

(Shortened for publication.)

Alan Macdonald, master and owner, Sara.m

6 / Sea Rescue / AUTUMN 2017

vessel on course with the strong wind and heavy sea that was running. So I took over the wheel and guided Sara clear of danger. No sooner had I got the sail down when I heard Robyn call out that a vessel had just cleared the harbour and was heading towards us.

I looked where she was pointing and beheld a small yellow-and-red vessel plunging and bucking her way through the heavy seas towards us. They called on the VHF and offered to tow us into the harbour, an offer that I gratefully excepted. With exceptional skill (given the conditions) the coxswain manoeuvred his vessel near us, where a crew member made a perfect throw with the heaving line. We were shortly under tow for the harbour, Rescue 7 having a much rougher ride than us.

Robyn took the wheel while I kept an eye on things on deck. When I glanced back I noticed tears of relief and gratitude in her eyes, and I’m not ashamed to say I felt the same way.

That this small group of men and women should leave their families on Christmas Eve and come to our aid so quickly is a testament to the true meaning of self-sacrifice and dedication in volunteers, and add to that the highest level of seamanship. This was an award-winning team whose professionalism quickly wiped away any doubts I may have had.

Thank you, crew of Rescue 7 – and your families – for giving Robyn and me the best Christmas gift ever.

‘EK HAAL MY HOED AF’ ‘n Rukkie terug het ’n nare ongeluk voor my in Stilbaai afgespeel. ’n Kop-aan-kopbotsing tussen ’n motorfiets en ’n motor. Ek was eerste op die toneel en het besluit om die NSRI te kontak.

Die dame (Paula Leech) wat die oproep beantwoord het, was baie vriendelik, behulpsaam en professioneel. Sy het die detail omtrent die situasie rondom die ongeluk geneem asook my naam en nommer, en onderneem om die plaaslike NSRI te kontak en te vra om met my in aanraking te kom. En dit is van hierdie punt af wat ek graag my lied wil sing. Die ongeluk het in Nerinasingel plaasgevind, en binne minute was die eerste persoon van die NSRI (Flaf van Spar) op die toneel. Van daardie oomblik toe hy die instruksie, ‘Julle moet kom’, oor sy foon gegee het, het alles blitssnel en soos klokwerk verloop. Wat ’n plesier om te kon sien hoe die NSRI se span soos ’n goed-geoliede masjien te werk gaan. Uiters professioneel.

Julle kan julself op die skouer klop en ieder en elk trots wees op dit wat julle vrywillig hier gedoen het.

Die NSRI is ’n instelling wat sonder enige finansiële bystand van die regering hulle vrywillige en ontbaatsugtige diens lewer. Om te kan voortbestaan, maak hulle staat op donasies van privaatinstansies en skenkers soos jy en ek. My beroep aan u almal wat hierdie lees is dit: kontak u tak vandag nog en bewillig ’n paar rand per maand en sluit aan by die ‘ground crew’.

Aan die manne en dames van die Stilbaai NSRI: You have done yourself and your organisation proud.

Juan Esterhuizen

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REAL-LIFE STORIES

A

On 1 January this year, Allan Spies was out with his family and friends on the Knysna Lagoon when they offered help to a man whose canoe had capsized.

Events unfolded a little differently than expected.

Allan shares his story.

CLOSE I SHAVE

PhotograPhS: rogan ward

t seems my story has grown legs – so just for the record, here is what went down.

We (the Spies, Janse Van Rensburg and Pelser families) had just got onto the boat and were heading out to the Knysna lagoon for a bit of tubing with the kids when, five minutes in, we spotted a man in distress. His canoe had capsized, and he was running out of energy trying to keep his head above water while calling for help.

Hilton Janse van Rensburg positioned the boat alongside the man and Wally Pelser and

8 / Sea ReScue / AUTUMN 2017

PhotographS: rogan ward

myself dived in to get him and his canoe onto the boat. Once on the boat, I sat beside him on the wet deck while Wally took the man’s canoe to shore. As we approached the shore, Hilton had got the boat turned sideways and was idling in reverse trying to swing the tail of the boat to shore while dodging a couple of kids in the water who were drawn to the excitement.

I saw Wally walking back towards the side of the boat from the shore and seeing the depth of the water where he was I figured it was shallow enough to jump off and steady the back of the boat so the man could get off.

This is when I pulled the dumbest stunt of 2017. Without telling Hilton or checking with him, I jumped into the water, only to discover that I had jumped into a 2,5m drop 2m away from where Wally was standing waist deep.

Wally saw me jumping and shouted to Hilton to kill the prop, which Hilton did in a split second – but, unfortunately for me, as I was hanging onto the wet deck with my legs dangling in the water, the slowing prop way under the boat, still in reverse, sucked my legs into the blades.

I actually clearly remember taking three wacks to the quads, and then Wally pulled me away.

What happened next was simply amazing. A local fisherman (Jeff) grabbed the nearest car (not even his own) and rushed to get as close to me as he could. Tammy Pelser, our resident life saver, jumped into action and got a towel, a T-shirt and some medical strapping to stop the insane amount of blood that was pumping out of my leg. This girl was so calm and collected – she held my hand and her facial expression was one of ‘Don’t worry about a thing; you are fine’. (Thanks for that, Tammy.)

Hilton got on the phone to call for help, Wally shielded the kids from me by standing in front of me, and Carla Janse van Rensburg and Lize Spies sorted the kids to the extent that some of them did not even know it was me that got injured.

Wally rallied a couple of the fisher-

This girl was so calm and collected – she held my hand and her facial expression was one of ‘Don’t worry about a thing; you are fine’.

men to help carry me to the car. I have no idea where his superhuman strength came from, but he was almost singlehandedly carrying me with one arm, while applying an insane amount of pressure on the worst of the two cuts.

Lize jumped into the front seat; Wally straddled me on the back seat, still applying pressure to both wounds, and we sped off to hospital. Jeff, the driver, knows the town people and managed to get us a police escort to casualty. And the rest is history.

All I can say is that it was a very stupid

Opposite page: (back row, from left) Carla and Hilton Janse Van Rensburg, Allan and Lize Spies, and Tammy and Wally Pelser; (front row, from left) Lia and Kieran Janse van Rensburg, Corban and Kyle Spies, and Joshua and Madison Pelser. Below: Wally and Allan.

accident on my part, and there is seriously no one else to blame for this accident but me. But I will put it down to being in the moment and not thinking clearly.

There is no doubt in my mind that, were it not for the quick thinking of both Wally and Hilton, the story would not have had a happy ending. I seriously owe my life to you two boys – thanks for being so sharp!

Oh, yes: apparently one story had it that my foot was severed. Rest assured I still have all my limbs and I have made a full recovery.

Sea Rescue / AUTUMN 2017 /

9

GAUTENG FLOODS

THE HEROES NEXT TO US

B

ianca-Lee Bird, a 37-year-old mother of three, was on her way to work in the afternoon of 9 November 2016. Driving on the N3 South, she noticed that the weather was deteriorating rapidly.

As the storm intensified she called her husband. ‘It felt like we were driving in a hurricane,’ said BiancaLee. ‘I drove next to a truck to try and shield my car from the rain and hail.

Everyone had their hazards on and soon the highway was jammed.’

She was close to the Linksfield off-ramp, and hoped to get off the highway to join a colleague who had left for work at the same time but was a little ahead of her when the storm broke.

10 / SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2017

Long-distance truck drivers Vuyani Dingiswayo, 31, and Lucas Bota, 25, were travelling in convoy for trucking company DPMM Logistics.

The men were on the way to City Deep to load cargo for a trip to Durban when the storm broke over them. They, too, got caught in the gridlock very close to the Linksfield off-ramp.

‘I called my husband again,’ Bianca-Lee recalls. ‘I told him that something wasn’t right. The water was rising on the highway.’

She looked across at an Audi to her right and noticed the water rising up the wheels until it got to the doorframe. ‘I took some pictures of it,’ she says. ‘In the last picture the

driver had opened his door and was standing in the water.’

Again Bianca-Lee called her husband, who told her to open her window and stay in the car. ‘And then a car bumped into me. It was floating. I called my colleague and asked him to pray for me.’

Meanwhile Vuyani had called Lucas and they agreed that they

PHOTOGRAPHS: BIANCA-LEE BIRD

November 2016 will forever be marked in the hearts and minds of the people who risked their lives to assist those caught in the N3 flooding in Gauteng. Andrew Ingram shares their stories.

Far left and left: Scenes of the rising water on the N3. Those who could, vacated their vehicles to assist people who were in grave danger of being swept away.

PHOTOGRAPHS: BIANCA-LEE BIRD

The scene was chaotic.

People were screaming for help and cars were swirling around in the water.

needed to do something urgently.

‘It was crazy. People were screaming frantically for help. We could see their cars swirling around in the water,’ Vuyani says.

The two men hatched a plan to use the strapping on the truck as a safety line and Lucas tied a loop around Vuyani, who then waded into the water to help those who were trapped.

‘I can’t swim. I was scared. But I knew that I needed to be a man and help those people,’ Vuyani, a father of two, explains.

Bianca-Lee had come to the same conclusion. She grabbed her laptop and cellphone and got out of her car. The water was still rising as she waded to the concrete barrier. Cars were bumping into each other like toys, and some floated away, down the Jukskei River that had now broken its banks.

‘There were three or four of us standing on the concrete barrier and I started screaming at people to get out of their cars,’ remembers Bianca-Lee. ‘And then

I realised that they could not get out.’

And so, like Lucas and Vuyani, and a handful of others, Bianca-Lee waded into the flood and helped to pull people from their vehicles.

By then the scene was chaotic. People were screaming for help and cars were swirling around in the water. Bianca-Lee realised that an unconscious woman had been pulled from a car and put on the flatbed of a truck.

‘She was not moving. I didn’t know what to do.’

Desperate to help, Bianca-Lee remembered watching CPR being done on the TV show ER and decided to try.

‘It was horrific,’ she remembers. For ages she gave it her best shot, with the help of a person next to her, but eventually she decided to stop. ‘She did not have a pulse.’

After putting the woman in a dignified position and covering her, Bianca-Lee got back into the water to carry on

helping people out of their cars. ‘It was mayhem. Chaos. We were freezing cold and filthy. People got swept away in their cars and died.’

Between them, Lucas, Vuyani (who also performed CPR on a woman they rescued), Bianca-Lee, and all the others who put themselves in danger, saved many lives. No-one counted.

As the water started to subside, Bianca-Lee made her way to her colleague who was waiting for her on the Linksfield off-ramp. ‘I never looked back,’ she says.

Later, through Facebook, Bianca-Lee made contact with the family of the woman whose life she had tried so hard to save.

‘It turns out she was a mom,’ Bianca-Lee said. ‘Her son landed up in ICU…’

UPDATE Bianca-Lee Bird arranged trauma counselling for the family of the deceased woman, and then she went off-line to try and heal from the ordeal that she had been through.

Vuyani and Lucas were recognised for their bravery by their company.

‘They put their lives on the line for others and in our eyes they will forever be heroes,’ said Donald Stockhall, director of DPMM Logistics.

SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2017 /

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WATERWISE

DON’T PANIC! When a mother and daughter found themselves caught in a rip off Sanctuary Bay in Plett, it was up to the young girl to reassure her mom that they needed to stay calm to ensure their safety. By Andrew Ingram

12 / SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2017

take them on a tour of the station and show them the boats, and they can try on our life jackets and helmets. Then we take them upstairs and we talk about water safety, show them some videos and talk about Plett beaches.’

During this particular lesson, Bruce remembers saying to the children, ‘This is probably the most important thing that I am going to tell you today… If

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you ever get caught in a rip current, do not panic.’

He then described what rips are, how they work, how to swim out of them and how to call Sea Rescue for help.

It was months later, in early December, that Plettenberg Bay Primary School pupil Hannah Morris, 9, was swimming with her mom, Sally, at Plettenberg Bay’s Sanctuary Beach near Robberg.

Sally takes up the story.

‘It was about 6.30 in the evening and the tide was in. The water was lovely and warm.’

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PHOTOGRAPHS: SUTTERSTOCK.COM, SUPPLIED

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ach year the Station 14 (Plettenberg Bay) Sea Rescue crew invite local primary schools to their rescue base and talk to the children about Sea Rescue, water safety, who to call for help and – very important in that neck of the woods – rip currents.

When Plettenberg Bay Primary School visited their Sea Rescue station in September last year, Bruce Noble, a Sea Rescue rescue swimmer and Air Sea Rescue crew member with 16 years of service, was one of the volunteers who met the children.

‘They have lots of fun,’ said Bruce. ‘We

‘I had never been in a rip before but Hannah knew exactly what to do. It all happened so quickly. She knew not to panic.’

Sally and Hannah often swim at this same spot. That there were no lifeguards on duty did not worry them. They had never had a problem before. And it was a perfect evening.

‘The next thing I looked around and saw how far out we were. Hannah was getting tired… and I started to shout for help.’

Hannah remembered Bruce’s words and told her mom, ‘This is a rip current.

The first thing we must do is stay calm.

‘I had never been in a rip before but Hannah knew exactly what to do. It all happened so quickly. She knew not to panic.’

Sally and Hannah were exhausted when they got back into the shallows.

But they had got safely back to the beach. Later that day a message that all who teach water safety would be immensely proud of popped up on NSRI Plett’s Facebook page: ‘My daughter and I got caught in a rip current today and my daughter knew what to do. Her class had been on an outing and learnt how to noel nsri advert.pdf 1 2015/10/15 03:26:51 PM react. Thank you.’

Southern Power is the official Importer & Distributor of Volvo Penta marine engines, generators, spare parts & accessories and has been supplying the Marine Industry since 1985

www.southernpower.co.za

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PHOTOGRAPHS: SUTTERSTOCK.COM, SUPPLIED

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Bruce Noble with Hannah Morris and her mom, Sally.

REAL-LIFE RESCUE

FIRE

When a fire broke out on Prime Time, the ferry crew and nearby vessels sprang into action to save the lives of those on board.

By Rob Mousley

14 / SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2017

‘F

ire! The boat’s on fire!’ For the skipper, the first sign that something was wrong on board the pleasure boat Prime Time was the shouting…

Moments later he saw smoke being blown forward from the galley at the back of the boat and he immediately turned the 25m craft into the wind.

‘Standard procedure,’ he explains. ‘You want the wind to be blowing the fire back on itself and away from the passengers.’

Most people associate maritime disasters with the ocean – it’s easy to picture the dangers of reefs, large waves and ships. But inland waters like the Hartbeespoort Dam are much less intimidating. So when 200-odd partygoers crowded onto Prime Time on 19 November 2016

for their year-end function, the thought of danger was far from their minds.

Prime Time is a barge: two-decked, 25m long and 8m wide. She’s equipped with a galley and a bar on the lower deck, as well as a music system – a floating party venue, ideally suited to the calm waters of the dam.

That Saturday afternoon, the weather was fine: partly cloudy and warm, with a moderate breeze rippling the dam’s surface. Just another day at the office for owner-skipper Nico Wessels.

In the company’s 20-year existence there had never been an accident, and Nico was confident that, even if that changed, his crew was well trained in emergency procedures – including fire-fighting.

PHOTOGRAPHS: SUPPLIED

ON THE BOAT!

PHOTOGRAPHS: SUPPLIED

From far left: When a fire broke out on the Prime Time, the ferry crew assisted passengers to the front of the vessel and away from the fire; the investigation as to the cause of the fire is still under way.

‘We did the usual safety briefing when the passengers came on board,’ he said.

Included was a demonstration on how to don a life jacket and information on where they were stored.

While the company can and often does provide meals using its own catering staff, on this occasion an events management company had booked the entire vessel. They brought their own food and kitchen staff.

After the briefing, the passengers settled down to enjoy themselves, some climbing the stairs to the upper deck, others flocking to the bar. The crew unmoored the boat and Nico piloted it smoothly out onto the lake. Just another day… Until the shouts and screams started.

The crew members knew their priorities: fight the fire, move the passengers away from the fire towards the front of the boat on the lower deck and issue them with life jackets.

Some of the crew moved among the passengers, ushering them down from the upper deck and handing out life jackets. Scared, the passengers were obeying instructions and were clustered near the front of the boat.

Although the fire had spread to the upper deck, it was being fought by crew members with extinguishers. All three of the boat’s motors were operating and the situation was getting under control.

In the meantime, the billowing smoke had been spotted from shore. Calls

were made to emergency services and a flotilla of small craft started heading towards the Prime Time. Clustering around the front of the boat, they started to take passengers off.

‘We asked the passengers to stay on the boat; they weren’t in any immediate danger,’ says Nico. ‘But I can’t blame them for wanting to get off.’

It was at this point that tragedy struck. Eyewitness accounts vary, but at least one ski boat, heavily overloaded, capsized. Other boats picked up most of its occupants, and attempts were made to right it – but without success. The ski boat was then towed to shore, where it was found that three people had been trapped underneath the hull. One survived but the other two had succumbed.

A third was found unconscious in the water. This victim too, passed away before she could be revived.

The crew members knew their priorities: fight the fire, move the passengers away from the fire towards the front of the boat on the lower deck and issue them with life jackets.

‘It seemed like hours, of course,’ recalls Nico, ‘but we had the fire out within about 15 minutes and we were able to make our own way back to the dock; all three motors were operational.’

It was only after the fire was out that the fourth fatality was discovered – one of the guests had made her way into the toilet where, overcome by smoke, she had been asphyxiated.

So what had caused the fire?

The investigation by the South African Marine Safety Association (SAMSA) is still under way, but it was obvious that the fire had started in the galley.

‘We don’t have any gas appliances.

Food – aside from salad – is never prepared on the boat,’ Nico explains. But there was hot food, being kept hot by food warmers, and it is speculated that they may have been the cause of the fire.

For Nico and his company, it was a devastating experience. ‘The general public really helped a lot,’ he said.

‘I can’t say it enough: they were all heroes out there.’

The Prime Time has since been repaired and is back in operation. ‘Although we already had all the safety equipment that we were obliged to install, we’ve gone to the next level with fire prevention,’ said Nico. ‘We’ve installed additional sprinkler systems, “fire bombs” above the engines and fuel tanks, and we’ve even got an automatic communication system that alerts the rescue services in the event of a fire.’

Craig Lambinon, NSRI spokesman, said, ‘We can only commend Nico Wessels on the way he handled the emergency: his crew were well trained and it appears that he did everything by the book. We offer our condolences to the families of the victims.’

SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2017 /

15

ANIMAL RESCUE

STELLA’S TALE OF

SURVIVAL

With a little help from concerned bystanders and the crew of Station 32, faithful sea dog Stella was rescued without incident from an inflatable that went out of control after its steering snapped. By Chris McCarthy

Top: Port Edward station commander John Nicholas with Stella following her rescue.

16 / SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2017

To view a short video of Stella go to goo.gl/DNhcPH

SAFETY TIP The safest way to stop an unmanned boat is to foul the props with rope.

A decision was made to attempt to trail ropes in the water in order to trap and manoeuvre the vessel. Before long, the inflatable’s propellers were entangled in the rope and it came to a grinding halt, allowing the NSRI rescue swimmer enough time to come alongside in one of The Pont’s boats and climb aboard the now subdued inflatable.

The transfer wasn’t a difficult one – however, it needed to be done as quickly as possible as there was no knowing if, or when, the propellers would disentangle themselves and threaten injury once again.

Fortunately the rescue swimmer managed to reach the boat safely, climb on board and kill the motors.

A little shaken by the ordeal, Stella allowed the NSRI rescue swimmer to transfer her to the rescue boat and to reunite her with her owner. Man and his best friend were brought safely back to the shore – with an epic ‘tail’ of bravery and blessings to tell at the dinner table that night.

PHOTOGRAPHS: SUPPLIED

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n Friday 23 December, two Durban men who were holidaying in Port Edward decided to head up the Umtamvuna River. It was a humid afternoon. They packed their bags and loaded the boat without considering that they may actually need to use the life jackets, as it was a picture-perfect day.

Stella, the skipper’s dependable sea dog, climbed on board, excited for the adventure and to explore the surrounds.

After a short run up the river, there was a loud clang. As the steering column snapped, the 5,5m rigid inflatable veered sharply and both men were flung overboard by the impact of the movement. The skipper had forgotten to attach a kill-switch to his body and the boat started spinning out of control. Disaster was averted when the boat’s propellers missed the younger occupant’s head by centimetres as he was tossed around in the water. Stella was left stranded on the boat’s bow with little other option than to hold on for dear life.

Mike Davidson, manager of The Pont Holiday and Watersport in Port Edward saw the commotion from the shore and knew that he needed to react fast. He phoned NSRI’s Station 32 (Port Edward) immediately to alert them to the drama

that was unfolding before him. He then instructed the launch of two of The Pont’s ski boats to assist with the rescue.

Station commander John Nicholas was enjoying his holiday with his family at home when he received the distress call. He immediately sent out a notification to request the assistance of his volunteer crew and rushed to the station’s base.

Meanwhile, Mike arrived on the scene and managed to pull the two men out of the water and aboard his ski boat. John and his NSRI crew arrived shortly after and jumped into action to try regain control of the boat and to cut its power.

Most importantly, their mission was to save Stella, who had managed to bunker herself down and was patiently awaiting assistance from these men in red.

The NSRI crew discussed a few options with Mike as to how to board the circling inflatable to get it under control in the safest way possible so as not to further distress or harm Stella.

PhotographS: supplied

CLUB K I D S CLUB KIDS Hi, children! These are your very own Kids’ Club pages.

Here you can have fun, fill in puzzles, win prizes and learn new facts.

Meet a few of our young members and see what they have been up to.

Vir Liam se derde verjaarsdag wou hy ’n ‘NS-ertjie’-bootkoek hê. Sy oupa is StatCom by NSRI Hermanus.

Meet Buddy! At Sea Rescue we teach children always to have a buddy. A buddy is someone to keep an eye on you and keep you safe. In fact, we have a friend called Buddy on our crew at Station 27 at Victoria Lake in Germiston.

Tiaan is only four years old, but he was very excited about signing up as a donor and getting his own Shore Crew Certificate.

He is totally obsessed with sharks at the moment and he just wants to go save the sharks on the ‘upperduck’ (rubberduck).

We were privileged to have these awesome, brave boys spend time with our crew learning the ins and outs of Sea Rescue. These youngsters are part of the Reach for a Dream programme, and all have life-threatening illnesses. Thank you to Poppy for taking them through the WaterWise programme; they learnt so much from you. A truly heartwarming experience for all involved and we wish these little champions all the strength in the world.

SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2017 /

19

can you

reach the octopus?

You can have some fun colouring in the pictures as well.

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6 3

5

2

4

5

1

5

3 6 2

sudoku

Can you fill in the 6x6 grid so that each row going across and down and each of the 6 coloured boxes has the numbers 1 to 6?

Give it a try, but don’t peek at the answers!

DID YOU KNOW?

What a dive!

WOORDRAAISEL ANTWOORDE: goudvissie water seegras blasies visbak klippies

5 2

1

3 6 4

6 3 4 5 2 1 1 5 2 4 3 6 1 5 2 3 4 6

4 6 5 2

1

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3 6 4 5

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woordraaisel Kyk mooi na die prentjie onder en gebruik die letters om die korrekte woorde te vind.

ogudssievi terwa esesarg sieblas kabsiv pipeliks

ILLUSTRATIONS: NICOLA SMITH; SUDOKU, CROSSWORD, WOORDRAAISEL: INPRA

The deepest part of the ocean (that we know of) is called the Mariana Trench. At its deepest point, it measures 11km.

spot the difference Take a close look at these two pictures. There are eight differences between them.

Can you find them?

Write to us!

Email your letters, drawings and membership forms to info@searescue.org.za or write to us at Kids’ Club, PO Box 154, Green Point, 8051.

✁

✁

You will get a special certificate to put up on your wall, you will be sent your own magazine three times a year and you might be one of the lucky ones to win a Sea Rescue T-shirt.

Join our club for R100 a year Ask your mom or dad to fill this in

Please find enclosed cheque/postal order for R100 Debit my Visa/MasterCard to the amount of R100 Cardholder’s name:....................................................................................

Card number

Name:..................................................................................................................................

Surname:........................................................................................... Age:....................

Expiry date of card:

Postal address:.............................................................................................................

CVV number:

.............................................................................................. Postal code:....................

Cardholder’s telephone number: (..............)......................................

Telephone number: (..............)....................................................................................

Signature:.........................................................................................................

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE SOLUTION: 1. Seagull in sky 2. Boat sail is yellow and striped 3. Little boy is holding a spade 4. One bucket is pink 5. Flipflops 6. Crab.

7. Octopus on T-shirt. 8. No pattern on little girl’s swimsuit.

ILLUSTRATIONS: NICOLA SMITH; SUDOKU, CROSSWORD, WOORDRAAISEL: INPRA

join our club

✁

SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2017 /

21

news and

g iv e a w a y s BOOK GIVEAWAY

teaching water safety

We have a new WaterWise friend – Pioneer Fishing! The NSRI does a lot of work to help people who go out to fish and Pioneer Fishing wants their community in St Helena Bay to be safe. They believe that the WaterWise programme can help do this! The people who work at Pioneer Fishing live on the coast, so the sea is a big part of their everyday lives, so we need to teach the children and keep them safe. Many children said that they had got into trouble when they were swimming. They and their teachers learnt a lot from the workshops we held at St Helena Bay.

safe swimming with pool noodles

Dan and Fender have a busy, exciting day: they watch lifesavers and a helicopter rescue a little girl from the sea... and then they themselves spring into action when Jack’s dog Molly needs rescuing from a cliff ledge. We have three copies of Fender and the Cliff Rescue to give away.

SMS your name, daytime telephone number, address and the words ‘Sea Fender’ to 33828 and you could win a copy and find out all about Fender and Dan’s exciting day!

Terms and conditions: 1. The draw is open to all Sea Rescue kids. 2. Entries for the giveaway close on 15 June 2017. 3. The winners will be selected by random draw and informed telephonically. 4. The winners’ names will be printed in the Winter 2017 issue of Sea Rescue magazine.

5. By entering this draw, entrants agree to abide by the rules and conditions of the competition. 6. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

At the end of last year, Hungry Lion donated 2 000 pool noodles to the NSRI to help us with drowning prevention.

How cool is that! These pool noodles will be used for projects all over the country to help children with their swimming lessons. They will also be used for safety at some public swimming pools and at places where people have gotten into trouble in the water at the seaside or near their homes. Pool noodles float, so they can be thrown out to people in trouble. But always remember, if you see someone struggling in the water, don’t jump in to help them. It’s better to throw something to them that floats like… you guessed it! A pool noodle.

Hungry Lion wants to help the NSRI with the work they do to help children stay safe. Why don’t you draw us a picture of yourself on a pool noodle?

Maybe you will see your artwork in the next Kids’ Club!

22 / SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2017

REAL-LIFE RESCUE

Would a ‘too-close-for-comfort’ experience with a 4m great white deter a man who has conquered the Seven Summits? Rob Mousley finds out.

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here was an ear-crushing sound and I – and the surfski – were airborne. I saw splinters flying. As I hit the water, head first, I knew that I’d been hit by a shark – a big shark!’

Ben Swart, 54, had been paddling his surfski (a 6.5m sit-on-top ocean-racing kayak) in the company of two friends, Ronald Pronk and Nick Bester, off Keurboomstrand near Plettenberg Bay. The group has somewhat of an athletic pedigree: Nick was an elite ultra-distance marathon runner – he won the Comrades Marathon in 1991 – and Ben had just returned from the Andes in South America, where he climbed Mount Ojos del Salado, at 6 893m the highest active volcano in the world.

Ben is also one of the few (approximately 350) people to have climbed the ‘Seven Summits’ – the seven highest mountains in the world including Mount Everest. He lost parts of five fingers to frostbite and nearly died of cerebral oedema. This is a man not unaccustomed to danger.

‘It was a lovely, still morning,’ Ben recalls. ‘The water was glassy. I was

24 / Sea Rescue / AUTUMN 2017

slipstreaming Ronnie; Nick was a little way ahead.’

And then came the explosion of sound, spray and teeth. ‘If I had to choose a single word to describe it, it would be “surreal”,’ says Ben. ‘I never saw the entire shark. I just saw a huge piece of shark skin in front of my face.’

At this point Ben was in the water – apparently uninjured – and his ski was next to him, upside-down, with a massive crescent-shaped hole in the bottom. His paddling companions were looking back at him in a state of shock.

He decided immediately that he wasn’t

‘We got to the station, into our wetsuits and on the water within four minutes. All we knew was that it was a shark attack, that the victim was still in the water – and that time was of the absolute essence.’

going to swim – he didn’t want to attract the attention of the shark by splashing in the water.

The ski was still floating, albeit waterlogged, because of the built-in foam stringer, so Ben draped himself over it ‘like a lilo’. Ronald manoeuvred his ski alongside and Ben held onto it, barely balancing and desperate not to slip off the wreckage back into the water.

‘That was the worst time,’ Ben reflects. ‘I was thinking, “What’s going to happen next?”’

Nick spotted the shark – a great white some 4m long – but it soon disappeared and the three men never saw it again.

For the next few minutes, Ronnie attempted to paddle towards shore while Ben held on – but it was impossible; the wreckage was uncontrollable and slewed around in circles. Spotting some fishermen on the beach, they decided to send Nick to call for help. He paddled quickly through the surf, landed and borrowed a cellphone with which to call the NSRI. Marc Rodgers, Plett NSRI station commander, took the call. ‘We’ve been attacked by a shark… Please send a boat immediately… One of our surfski mates…

Photographs: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM, SUPPLIED

near ENCOUNTER

Photographs: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM, SUPPLIED

He’s still in the water … about 400m in.’

Marc triggered the siren to alert the crew. ‘We’ve installed an air-raid siren,’ he explains. ‘It’s much better and quicker than SMS! The whole town knows the NSRI has been called out.’

Coxswain Deon Truter was lying in bed when the siren shattered the morning calm. ‘It was still early, so there was no traffic,’ he says. ‘We got to the station, into our wetsuits and on the water within four minutes. All we knew was that it was a shark attack, that the victim was still in the water – and that time was of the absolute essence.’

Ten minutes later, the two NSRI boats were at the scene – just opposite the Dunes Resort, about 6km from their base.

In the meantime, Nick had launched his ski through the surf and had rejoined the other two, who had made very little progress towards shore.

‘I made the call that it was time to abandon ship,’ says Ben, ‘so I climbed, face down, onto the back of Nick’s ski and he paddled me in.’

Keurbooms is notorious for its harsh shore break and the three men were tumbled by the waves as they

Above: Despite his near encounter with a 4m great white shark, Ben Swart was back on the water within two days. Top: The impact of the shark left a huge hole in Ben’s surfski.

approached the sand, Nick dislocating his thumb as the surf smashed him off his boat. They clambered out onto the beach where the NSRI crew members spotted them.

‘We were extremely happy to see that no-one was hurt,’ says Deon. ‘We picked the three of them up and went out to the backline to fetch the broken ski. From the damage, you could see the violence and strength of that hit,’ he comments. ‘Ben was very, very lucky. A few centimetres and he’d have been arseless,’ he laughs.

Marc, who’d arrived on his own boat, agrees. ‘From the cracks and wrinkles in the hull, you can see that it must have snapped and wrapped around the shark’s head,’ he said. ‘Just seeing the ski was crazy. Everyone was a little pale – but I got a crooked thumbs-up from Nick!’

Two days later, Ben was back on the water, on a replacement surfski.

‘I thought to myself, “Do I want still want to surfski?”’ he says. ‘The answer was yes, and so I had to get back on the water quickly.

‘But I probably won’t be doing long distances on my own any more – especially to Robberg,’ he chuckles.

Then he becomes more serious. ‘I will be carrying more safety gear – you should always have it on every trip. It would have been good to have a mobile with us! You never know what can happen.’

And his next adventure? In July he flies to Mongolia to join a two-week expedition travelling on vintage Royal Enfield motorcycles…

Sea Rescue / AUTUMN 2017 /

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WATER SAFETY

NIGHTMARE!’ When the Burgers found their daughter floating face up in their swimming pool, they were faced with every parent’s worst fear.

By Andrew Ingram

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s Jaco Burger, 35, slid open the security gate to let the dogs into the yard, he took in the weather.

It was a cracker of a day. A maximum temperature of 36˚C had been predicted, the sky was blue and all was good.

The day before, Jaco and his wife, Lucille, 32, had entertained friends. They had spent much of the afternoon in the swimming pool. By early evening when their guests left, they decided to leave the pool cover off overnight. Nobody would be out in the yard until they opened up for friends who were going to join them to swim that morning.

The dogs came back inside and Jaco slammed the security gate shut. He started getting ready for the day. Unbeknownst to him, although the security gate had shut with the telltale metallic crash, it had not locked.

Both parents were busy with their early-morning routine. Lucille was feeding their 10-week-old baby, while their daughter, 2, and son, 5, had eaten their porridge and were watching TV. Usually Lucille wrapped their baby after feeding and then went off to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

Jaco was in the bathroom when their son called through the bathroom door.

‘Sussie is not with me,’ he said. ‘Where is she?’ Jaco asked. Without answering, the little boy walked down the corridor and again said, ‘Sussie is not with me.’

‘That was my trigger,’ said Lucille. ‘I thought, What is she doing and where is she? She’s a two-year-old – always busy.’

‘I wrapped the 10-week-old and put him down, took my coffee cup, and

26 / Sea Rescue / AUTUMN 2017

as I got to the kitchen I looked at the slam-lock gate that was supposed to be closed. It was open.

‘And then I knew where she was. She was outside. And I really, really, really prayed that she would be in the sand pit.’

Lucille started running. A few strides and she was on the patio confronting every swimming pool owner’s worst nightmare. Her two-year-old was floating in the pool.

‘She was on her back. I called – no, actually I screamed like a mad person – for Jaco to come and help me.’

Lucille has no recollection of crossing the patio or getting into the pool. Lifting the little girl out of the water, she shook her. ‘There was nothing. Her lips were blue, her extremities were blue, her skin was white and she was ice cold.’

Lucille remembers putting her on their plastic table and starting rescue breaths. ‘I thought that, like in the movies, I would give her rescue breaths and she would sit up, I would pat her on her back and we would all smile.’

‘Nothing happened.’

‘Then my nursing kicked in. I thought about the fact that the table would collapse if I did CPR on it so I put her on the concrete. I could not find a pulse.

There was no breathing. Her pupils were dilating… I knew then that we would need a miracle to get her through this.’

‘My mom instinct said: Go. Just don’t stop.’

By this time Jaco had joined her.

‘I freaked out,’ he says. ‘Luckily for us she kept her head,’ he says, looking into Lucille’s eyes and smiling. ‘I could not

remember who to phone, what number to phone.’

Then they thought of their security company. So Jaco called them. And then he called the SAPS. ‘The security company arrived followed by the ambulance,’ remembers Lucille. ‘We think it was about 15 minutes, and by then my little girl had started crying.’

Lucille’s CPR had worked. The little girl was rushed to hospital and, later that morning, transferred from the emergency room to ICU, where she opened her eyes.

‘She was very scared,’ says Lucille.

‘And then she saw the Christmas tree, and she said “kersboom” [Christmas tree]. That was the best word ever. I realised that she recognised something and had brain function.’

The next morning she was transferred to a general ward and in the afternoon she was sent home.

‘It was a miracle,’ says Jaco as he puts his arm around his wife and smiles.

EMPOWER YOUR FAMILY

Lucille says that, according to the family’s paediatrician, the little girl had ‘closed her vocal cords when she went into the pool’. If a drowning victim experiences a laryngospasm, or involuntary contraction of the vocal cords, very little or no water enters the lungs. This may explain why she was found floating face up in the pool. Combined with effective CPR, the lack of damage to her lungs assisted in her rapid recovery.

Jaco’s advice to parents is, ‘Knowledge is power. Learn CPR and have a plan of action in case something goes wrong. What are you going to do if someone drowns?

It happens so quickly. And know who you would call for help.’

Photograph: ANDREW INGRAM

‘My worst

Photograph: ANDREW INGRAM

Jaco and Lucille Burger

Sea Rescue / AUTUMN 2017 /

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SEA CREATURES

OTTO

THE TURTLE We follow the incredible journal of Otto, an adult hawksbill turtle that was found dehyrated and weak on the rocks in Yzerfontein and rehabilitated at the Two Oceans Aquarium.

By Cherelle Leong

W

hile the NSRI is often called in to assist with stranded or injured marine mammals, we don’t often get to follow their journey after they have been rehabilitated and released back into the wild. But now, thanks to the Two Oceans Aquarium and a satellite-tracking device, researchers have been able to map Otto’s incredible journey home.

Otto is a mature female hawksbill turtle that was found on the rocks at

Yzerfontein in June 2014 by fisherman Koos Otto and his wife, Sanet. Hawksbill turtles are a critically endangered species and, although they generally prefer warm tropical waters, it’s not unusual for them to visit South African shores. When she was found she appeared to be weak and dehydrated, so Koos and Sanet contacted the NSRI for assistance. Via a network of contacts, the Two Oceans Aquarium sent a rescue team who took Otto into their care for rehabilitation.

Otto was one of the largest hawksbill turtles to have been recorded and her age is estimated at between 60 and 80 years. Suffering from hypothermia and dehydration, Otto was initially tube-fed until her digestive system was restored.

After that she was fed special food disks made from a gel that included vitamin and mineral supplements. During her rehabilitation over 18 months she gained a healthy 10kg, and when she was

Photographs: Jacques Marais

Otto spent a year and half at the Two Oceans Aquarium before being released back into the ocean. Subsequently researchers have been able to track her journey as far as Madagascar.

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ANGOLA released on 1 December 2015, 30 nautical miles south of Cape Point, she weighed 86kg.

After her release, Otto headed east and by 18 December had entered the warm Agulhas current, which carried her northwards swiftly.

She spent New Year’s Day just off East London and by February, a mere 77 days after her release, she had travelled a total distance of 3 504km – an average of 45km a day. To put this in perspective, this is the equivalent of a person running further than a marathon every day for 77 days straight. The record for the most marathons run by a human on consecutive days stands at 53.

The distance she travelled in a single day varied between 1km and 159km.

During January she moved in closer to the Mozambique coast and slowly made her way north, presumably enjoying the abundant coral reefs. From there she crossed the Mozambique Channel to the west coast of Madagascar. This is where she has been ever since, slowly circumnavigating the island around its northern

ZAMBIA

ZIMBABWE NAMIBIA

MADAGASCAR BOTSWANA

★

SWAZILAND LESOTHO SOUTH AFRICA

★ tip and down to the sandy beaches on the east coast.

The tracking device fitted on Otto has a battery life of two years, so researchers will be able to monitor her movements until the end of 2017. Such information on a critically endangered species is invaluable. Statistics reflect that, of every 1 000 hawksbill turtles that hatch, only one survives to maturity.

INTO A RAGING SEA We have had a wonderful response to our 50th anniversary commemorative book Into a Raging Sea. Readers have acknowledged that the stories of daring rescues in the face of danger by brave volunteers have moved them immensly.

These are the true stories of man’s constant battle with the sea. (Published by Jonathan Ball Publishers)

PHOTOGRAPHS: JACQUES MARAIS

MOZAMBIQUE

Into a Raging Sea is available from all leading bookstores or directly from the NSRI. To order please call 021 434 4011.

(R240 + postage and packaging)

The decline of their natural nesting habitats and the overexploitation of adult females and their eggs have led to an alarming decline in hawksbill populations around the world. Being able to track Otto’s movements is significant for research – and it’s also incredibly rewarding for the people who rescued and rehabilitated her to know that she is swimming free and doing so well.

IN THE NEWS Henri van Schaik with Jeffreys Bay station commander Rieghard Janse van Rensburg at the race finish line.

MITSUBISHI PROMOTION

Congratulations to our winners! ›› The grand prize of two Mitsubishi vehicles, a Pajero Sport 2.5 and an ASX 2.0L (Classic), was won by Jan Greyling from Sandton, Gauteng. ›› The second prize of R250 000 was won by Mrs Edith Goodall from Midrand, Gauteng. Bruce Thompson from East London took the third prize of a ‘holiday of your dreams’ for two people. ›› The R100 000 annual cash prize for the NSRI Debit Order Promotion was won by Debbie du Preez from Joburg.

FROM LEFT: Danny Moodley (Brand Centre Manager – Mitsubishi Western Cape), our call-centre staff who sold more than 30 000 tickets, with Dr Cleeve Robertson and our MC, Kieno Kammies.

In the centre is Lauren, our top marketer for the year. Well done!

30 / SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2017

COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION On 10 December a small group of ultra-distance trail runners set off at 4am on a mission to conquer the third 100km Ultra Trail Cape Town (UTCT 100) in the Table Mountain series. Two men chose to dedicate their efforts to NSRI. Rieghard Janse van Rensburg is an NSRI volunteer who in 2010 turned his life and health around by taking up running – he dedicated his run to his crew at Station 37 (Jeffreys Bay).

Henri van Schaik (from Somerset West) is an NSRI supporter and donor – he dedicated his run to the crew at Station 9 (Gordon’s Bay).

The route is extremely challenging, and while there are specific refuel stations, the run is through mountainous terrain and there are few spectators and supporters. NSRI CEO Dr Cleeve Robertson cheered on the runners at Hout Bay, and Head of Fundraising and Marketing Meriel Bartlett set up camp and waited for the runners at the 90km mark at UCT. The men were both tired and sore but had formed a special bond and friendship

after Henri spotted Rieghard in his branded kit at the 40km mark. Henri had broken his toe 30km into the race but kept strong and pushed through; Rieghard’s legs were still tired from The Sky Run three weeks before. As darkness started to fall, they left for the final two hours and 10km to the finish.

Both crossed the finish line after running just shy of 17 hours. Henri describes it as ‘the toughest race I have ever run’.

On his fundraising campaign page he said: ‘Many things can go wrong on such a long run but these aches, cramps and bruises cannot compare to the things that can go wrong when NSRI volunteers set out to rescue people in distress along our coastline! Our contribution can help acquire equipment, supplies and training for the NSRI volunteers to do their work better prepared and under safer conditions.’

Thank you, Henri and Rieghard, for your commitment – for raising money for us, for dedicating your race to us and for seeing it through. We salute you.

NEWS

J-BAY: A SMALL TOWN WITH A BIG HEART NSRI Station 37 (Jeffreys Bay) had an amazingly successful street collection, with R55 705 raised. A very big thank you to the residents and visitors of Jeffreys Bay for their kindness and support.

PLETT PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS An impressive amount has been raised this past year by Station 14 (Plettenberg Bay): R624 809.38, to be exact. (We have included the full Golf Day taking, which overlapped across the two financial years.) In addition, we have recently received a pledge of R280 000 for our station’s new jet ski, which means that in the last 12½ months an impressive R907 803.38 was raised.

Some of (definitely not all) the highlights include: ›› Anonymous donor R20 000 ›› The Van der Merwe family R30 000 (We searched for and found their son 15 years ago – he is 28 now – and the family still remembers our rescuers by their first names) ›› Fun Run R30 000+ (new record) ›› Calamari & Chips Walk R44 000+ (previous record R16 000) ›› Street Collection on New Year’s Eve R75 000+ (new record) ›› Golf Day (with Gary Player, Butch

James and Nick Mallet) R100 000+ (new record) Station 14 has upheld and truly epitomised everything that NSRI stands for, and has over the past number of years consistently grown the support base of our local community and regular holiday residents in Plett. Everyone involved continues to give their all and does what they do with pride. It is because of all their efforts that we are able to achieve the fantastic contributions to our station’s fundraising cause.

The Plett locals and holiday makers have been incredibly supportive and generous. We can all be very proud of what we have achieved together. It is going to be tough to beat this past season – but then again, that is what we said last year.

Here’s looking forward to 2017.

Dave Haysom, Chairman: NSRI Station 14 (Plettenberg Bay) Fundraising Committee

STATION 5 IN ACTION Recently we did a short harbour walk with a Durban tourism group.

I noticed the NSRI team busy training on the other side of the pier and snapped up a couple of pics of them.

I would also like to add that my wife and I are bodyboarders and I am a surf photographer. We spend a lot of time in the sea and we are very water-wise (well, I think we are, anyway) and have saved a few people from almost drowning. We just like to say a huge THANK YOU for all that the NSRI team does.

We really appreciate your service, time and effort in saving lives.

- Douglas Williams

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD PARTNERSHIPS: Anglo American Thermo Coal – New Vaal Colliery • Brand Engineering SA (Pty) Ltd • De Beers Marine (Pty) Ltd • Freddy Hirsch Group • King Solomons Foods (Pty) Ltd • Lusitania Marketing Services • MACS Maritime Carrier Shipping (Pty) Ltd • MIX Telematics International (Pty) Ltd • Numan Investments (Pty) Ltd • Peregrine Equities • Pioneer Fishing (Pty) Ltd • Press Spinning & Stamping Co • Ruwekus Fishing • Sterling Private Wealth • Store Maintenance And Installation Specialists (Pty) Ltd • Two Oceans Marine Manufacturing • Viking Fishing Co (Pty) Ltd

SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2017 /

31

NEWS

Dr Dampies van Deemter (right) and Jan Swanepoel.

CARING BYSTANDER THANKS, WESTERN CAPE 4X4 AND DIFFLOCK

Last year one of our rescue vehicles got stuck in the sand on Muizenberg Beach.

It happened during a public event and within minutes a video landed on Facebook and went viral.

Marc Dunster and the group ‘Western Cape 4×4 and Difflock’ immediately got in touch with us and extended a hand of friendship. They invited us to bring our crew around to enjoy a practical training day with them. It was a really positive email that included a whole host of free offers.

Thank you, Marc, for reaching out; thank you, Thys de Jager and Team Offroad, for the free 4×4 training and recovery course; Thys van Eck of Motolek Stikland for kindly offering to assess the vehicle; Denielle de Kock of ALCO for the sponsored recovery kit; Wynand Blom of Saddles for the meal; Oom Johann Tyre Viljoen of 1st Alignment Centre for the use of his vehicle; and Charles Duckett of Windhoek Farm for the use of his premises.

Our rescuers needed rescuing and we couldn’t have asked for a kinder group to help us. As one of their members said, ‘Great day, great gesture, great people.’

32 / SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2017

On 20 December 2016, Station 19 (Richards Bay) received a call from Arthur Moorcroft to inform them that a ski boat had launched in Sodwana and got lost on its return, overshooting Sodwana Bay and were now low on fuel. We contacted the ski boat directly (Jan Swanepoel) and calculated that they were closer to Cape Vidal than Sodwana Bay, so instructed them to make their way there.

We then called Chantal Dickson (District Conversation Officer: St Lucia Marine Reserve South) to request assistance from the beach. She referred us to ski boater Dr Dampies van Deemter who was camping there at the time.

Dampies kindly made his way to the

beach to find that the casualty had arrived offshore and required safe direction into the bay area. Dampies contacted the casualty via VHF and directed them to the designated beaching area as the casualty had never been to Cape Vidal before.

In the meantime, Arthur had arranged for the boat trailer to be transported to Cape Vidal. Dampie’s kindness did not end there: he assisted the casualty to repair his trailer, put the boat on the trailer with his tractor, and paid the fee for him to exit the reserve.

We would like to thank Dr Van Deemter, who assisted us without question.

THANKS TO SECOND SKINS For many years Brett Trollip of Second Skins has supported the NSRI and last Christmas he took it one step further by donating Second Skins rash tops to each of our crew – ensuring they’re properly protected from both the sun and chafing. One of their staff, Brad Gale, has also signed up as a rescue crew member at Station 8 (Hout Bay)! Thanks very much.

LIFE BOAT CLUB

Clockwise from left: A great turnout for the occasion; former station commander Stuart Burgess; the blessing of the 8.5m RIB Jack & Irene; Jilly Lay and David Hermus of Helderberg Village.

TRIBUTES AND TEAS!

S

upporters, donors, crew, retired crew, colleagues in the emergency services and friends gathered on 4 February to share in the special celebration of the naming and blessing of the 8.5m RIB (rigid inflatable boat) Jack & Irene, stationed at our NSRI Gordon’s Bay rescue base.

Former station commander Stuart Burgess shared fond memories and honoured the lives of the late Jack and Irene Riley who were the benefactors of two rescue vessels, Jack Riley and Jack & Irene. Our Operations Director, Mark Hughes, then handed over the keys officially to Station 9 (Gordon’s Bay).

A special word of thanks to the rescue

crew and Kim Gresse who made all the arrangements, the Gordon’s Bay Yacht Club for hosting us and to Stuart Burgess’s mother who first introduced us to the Rileys – resulting in a very long and special friendship with NSRI. Left: The ladies from the Jewish Club, Durban, with Janet Burgess (second from right). Right: Audrey Griffiths and Joyce Evan.

Far right: Kathy Harding and Cathy du Plooy.

THANK YOU FOR THE DONATIONS RECEIVED BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES: Carol Shaw, Louis Messaris (70th), Tim Harris, Philip Melck, Clive and Ruth Buckland, Gigi Bisogno IN HONOUR AND MEMORY OF: Glynn Swann, Mark Koen, Stan Walters, Brandon Matley, Geof Sonnenberg, Adam Whittington, Robert Pabst, Miriam Linda Sawyer, Barrie Rose, Malcolm Griffin, Brian Makepeace ASHES LOG: Station 10 (Simon’s Town): Myrtle Pocock, Emmanuel Cronje; Station 3 (Table View): Johannes Petrus Swanepoel

Life boat Club SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2017 /

33

UITERSTE PASSIE

‘ONMOONTLIK’

BESTAAN NIE! ‘J

y is heeltemal mal.’

Dit was Toni Enderli (39) se woorde aan ’n vriend een Maandagmôre sewe jaar gelede toe hulle hulle tone in die koue seewater sit en opkyk na hulle doelwit: die klein strokie land genaamd Robbeneiland, anderkant die blou. Dit het onmoontlik gelyk.

Twee dae tevore het hierdie twee Bloubergstranders saam ’n bier geniet en ’n bietjie oor die lewe gekla. ‘…Soos ’n mens maar maak,’ glimlag Toni as hy vertel waar dit alles begin het.

Dinge het nie goed gelyk nie. Toni se vriend se ma het pas ’n groot gesondheidsterugslag gehad, en Suid Afrika was op die rand van ’n resessie. ‘Ek was ’n “high flyer” in eiendomsontwikkeling, maar toe die mark ineengestort het,

moes ek my eiendomme en my motors verkoop en weer by my ouers intrek,’ verduidelik Toni. ‘Ek moes weer van voor af begin.’

Toe merk sy vriend op dat hulle nie juis jonger raak nie, maar darem gesond is en nog nie ‘oor die muur’ nie. In plaas van jammer voel vir hulself moet hulle iets doen, het hy gesê… Hoekom swem hulle nie Robbeneiland toe nie?

Só het dit gebeur dat hulle daar in hulle Speedo’s in die vlak water staan en die ‘onmoontlike’ in die gesig staar. Hulle het onderneem om fondse vir liefdadigheid in te samel en uiteindelik hulle belofte nagekom.

‘Daardie eerste Robbeneiland-swem was die slegste dag van my lewe,’ erken Toni, ‘maar die ervaring het my lewensuitkyk verander. Ek het groter afstande begin swem, gevolg deur ’n ysswem in 2˚C. Elke keer het ek gedink dit sou onmoontlik wees, en elke keer het dit oor ’n goeie doel gegaan.’

PHOTOGRAPHS: SUPPLIED

WaterWise sal een van die begunstigdes wees wanneer Toni Enderli later vanjaar die Catalina-kanaal aan die kus van Kalifornië aanpak – sy derde van sewe langafstandoopwaterswemuitdagings wêreldwyd wat deel vorm van die ‘Oceans 7’. Christine de Villiers het die voorreg gehad om met díe ekstreme swemmer te gesels.

34 / SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2017

Hoe Toni sy ‘HOEKOM’ gevind het

PHOTOGRAPHS: SUPPLIED

In 2015 het Toni die Engelse Kanaal, waaroor hy tevore onsuksesvol probeer swem het, vir ’n tweede keer aangedurf. Dit is tydens hierdie moeilike swem, vertel Toni, wat hy sy ‘HOEKOM’ (‘my WHY’) gevind het.

‘Elkeen het ’n Engelse Kanaalkruising in ons lewe – ’n uitdaging waarteen ons nie opgewasse voel nie. Ons moet verstaan dat om dit te probeer oorkom, die enigste manier vorentoe is.’

Hy sê dié ervaring het hom gewys dat die eenvoudigste dinge die belangrikste is: goed wat nie gekoop kan word nie, wat nie blink nie – en liefde en harde werk vereis.

‘My HOEKOM is om my gesin lief te hê en hulle eerste te plaas. Om elke oomblik van my kinders se grootword te geniet, en ’n nalatenskap te bou waarop hulle trots kan wees.’

Vandag is oopwaterswem onlosmaaklik deel van Toni se lewe. En sy fokus op liefdadigheid het onveranderd gebly – die onvergeetlike eerste Robbeneilandswem was ook die begin van ’n noue band met NSRI, en veral WaterWise lê hom baie na aan die hart. ‘NSRI was daar vir my aan die begin. Om kinders te leer oor waterveiligheid is ’n groot passie vir my en om geld in te samel om bewustheid te versprei, is ’n manier waarop ek kan teruggee.’

Toni erken dit is taai om ’n balans te handhaaf tussen swem, sy gesin (eggenote Bridget en seuns Tristan [8] en Kai [4]), en sy werk as eienaar van ’n eiendomsbesigheid met 57 agente). Maar in alles wat hy doen, probeer hy die boodskap uitleef dat enigiets moontlik is as ’n

Toni het Boplaas Primêr saam met Eoudia Erasmus besoek. Dit is in die bergagtige gebied bo Ceres geleë.

mens bereid is om tyd en moeite in te sit.

Volgende op sy kerfstok is die Catalina-kanaal aan die kus van Kalifornië, wat hy beplan om in Julie te swem. Dit strek oor ’n afstand van 20 myl, of selfs meer, afhangende van seestrome, wind en deinings.

Voorbereiding vereis toewyding en fyn beplanning. Toni se program behels kernversterking- en buigsaamheidsoefeninge vier maal per week, en hy swem tans 25km per week – die afstand word geleidelik opgebou. ’n Gemiddelde dag begin om 5am met leeswerk om sy kop reg te kry vir wat voorlê. Daarna werk hy ’n oefensessie in voor hy tyd met sy gesin spandeer. By die kantoor fokus hy daarop om sy span te motiveer en kliënte die beste diens moontlik te lewer.

Saans verkies hy om ‘af te skakel’ weg van tegnologie sodat hy rustig kan wees wanneer hy om 10pm gaan slaap.

Hy beklemtoon dat dit uiters belangrik is om negatiewe gedagtes en geselskap te vermy. ‘Moenie dat enigiets jou terughou nie,’ is sy raad aan enigiemand wat groot dinge wil bereik. ‘Droom, volg jou passie. Moenie vasgevang word in die wêreld se manier van doen nie.’ Dan is enigiets moontlik – selfs (miskien veral!) wanneer dit begin met ’n mal plan.

DIE ‘OCEANS 7’: 2 KLAAR, 5 OOR Dié uitdaging bestaan uit sewe langafstandswemroetes en is die maratonswem-ekwivalent van die ‘Seven Summits’-bergklimuitdaging. Sover het slegs ses mense wêreldwyd al sewe voltooi. Toni is vasberade om sy naam by daardie lys te voeg.

Reeds geswem: 1. Straat van Gibraltar 2. Engelse Kanaal Wat’s volgende: 3. Catalina-kanaal, Kalifornië (Julie 2017) 4. Molokai-kanaal, Hawaii (Augustus/September 2017) 5. Cook-straat, Nieu-Seeland (2018) 6. Tsugaru, Japan (2018) 7. Noordkanaal, tussen Ierland en Skotland (2019) SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2017 /

35

CREW STORIES

THE

HEART OF EDEN W Above: Even the wildlife are relaxed and friendly. Below: Witsand – the whale nursery of South Africa. Top right: Witsand offers a host of special sights including this stone church that enchanted Megan and her family.

36 / Sea Rescue / AUTUMN 2017

itsand, a place off the beaten track. If you close your eyes just for a few seconds, you might miss it. Let me backtrack you on my journey as I discovered this place of wonder, part of the Eden district.

For the school holidays, we planned a little road trip to spend time as a family.

Moments like these should always be treasured and no opportunity to create memories should be taken for granted.

We booked into a beautiful little spot in the Malgas region named Stonehill River Lodge. Just outside of Swellendam (heading from Cape Town), take the turn-off to your right past Mullersrus School and you are met with a dirt road of 2,4km. Just as we reached our destination, the setting sun greeted us with a warm welcome.

As we drove up to our accommodation, the sounds of the meandering Breede River on our doorstep and the majestic landscape of the Langeberg

mountains made it clear we had arrived in a small part of Eden.

Being part of Sea Rescue, I had an urge to visit one of our nearby rescue bases so we made our way back onto the dirt road the next day. We had a few companions en route and a friendly zebra looked our way as if to say good morning.

Once we were on the national road again, the road to Witsand to the right was only 34km away, just before the Heidelberg turn-off. I had arranged with Theo Erasmus, station commander of Station 33 (Witsand), to meet me at the base as the crew had training exercises at 17h30 that evening. With time to kill, I explored the town. It’s a bit of a patchwork, with forgotten boats abandoned next to smallholdings and new developments popping up like mushrooms.

I discovered a beautiful stone church along the way.

PhotographS: megan hughes

Many of our rescue bases are in small coastal towns. Megan Hughes stopped by to visit the crew of Station 33 (Witsand).

The dull grey sky threatened a downpour. It was freezing cold as I recalled the amazing rescue pulled off a few years back by some of the volunteers I was about to meet when they assisted the yacht Gulliver with only four crew on board. (This rescue earned them our Silver Gallantry Award, plus Certificates of Commendation from the International Maritime Organisation as well as a Meritorious Award from the South African Search & Rescue Organisation.)

One never knows what lies beyond the mouth of the Breede River as you head into Cape Infanta, and tonight it looked like another storm was brewing.

Sea Rescue Witsand is a modest base positioned at the mouth of the Breede River. The crew – full of passion and determination – is led by newly elected station commander Theo. And, even though only five members trained that evening, Theo led his people with pride. This and other qualities have been imparted to him by past station commanders and deputies with many years of experience, for which he is very grateful.

The crew take so much pride in what they are given and it shows in the impeccable condition of the base’s assets and the sheer joy on their faces as they launch their boats – a joy that remains when they return and carefully wash the boats, flush the motors, check and recheck everything, and then joke about it being the best part of the night. After the training, it was time for a debriefing on how they could improve and do things even better the next time.

This is what touched me: the heart of a volunteer, the depth of their commit-

The crew take so much pride in what they are given and it shows in the impeccable condition of the base’s assets and the sheer joy on their faces as they launch their boats.

ment to the mission of saving lives and changing lives. This is what makes Sea Rescue so successful and so unique, because our organisation is blessed with more than 1 000 unpaid volunteers who live out this mission daily. Hearts filled with humility, gratitude and pride, bound together with a camaraderie of unmistakable family even though they come from all walks of life. Sea Rescue is for everyone and who would not want to be part of this?

The town of Witsand may be small, but its secret lies in the uniqueness of its inhabitants. Not only was I made to feel part of the crew that night, I left feeling like one day soon I would return to meet up with my family again.

If you would like to become a part of this amazing rescue base, new recruits are always needed. Station 33 welcomes sea crew, shore crew, fundraisers and educators. Please contact Theo Erasmus on 082 990 5957 or email station33@ searescue.org.za and become a part of the future as NSRI celebrates 50 years of saving lives on South African waters.

PHOTOGRAPHS: MEGAN HUGHES

Left: Crew from Witsand (from left): Hantie Swanepoel, Anton Swanepoel, Hennie Garlick, deputy station commander Attie Gunter and station commander Theo Erasmus. Below: Ready for launch!

SEA RESCUE / AUTUMN 2017 /

37

HUMAN ENDEAVOUR

extreme

ability D

ungeons near Hout Bay, Cape Town, is a unique surf spot: it’s accessible by boat only, and the 9m-plus swells only form in particular winter conditions. It’s a reef where only the most fearless big-wave surfers dare to venture. Yet this is the ambition of adaptive surfer Dries Millard, who is a T8 paraplegic – to surf Dungeons.

Dries is not someone to be held back by his disability. In fact, he prefers to be described as being ‘differently abled’. He was a Craven Week rugby player, young and fit, when a car accident on Du Toitskloof Pass left him a paraplegic. After some time feeling angry, and sorry for himself, he came to the realisation that, while he may no longer have control over the use of his legs, the one thing he could control was his attitude. He could choose to be negative or he could get out there and do something positive

38 / Sea Rescue / AUTUMN 2017

– perhaps even inspire others facing similar challenges. And so the concept of his nonprofit organisation Extreme Abilities was born.

In 2010, Dries embarked on his first disability-awareness campaign: a wheelchair marathon on the West Coast Road (R27). While the event was a success, scorching temperatures and strong winds meant he wasn’t able to free-

His passion for inspiring differently abled people has lead him to become a motivational speaker, travelling the country, talking about adaptive surfing and water safety at schools.

wheel on the downhills, so Dries decided he’d far rather do water-based activities.

He’d always been a surfer and started investigating adaptive surfing. He went on to complete his International Surf Association coaching certification, and to date is the only adaptive-surf coach worldwide holding this qualification.

Through Extreme Abilities, he started hosting adaptive-surfing events in Bloubergstrand, Muizenberg and Strand, inviting disabled people from all backgrounds to experience what it’s like to be able to surf. Local NSRI stations and Lifesaving Clubs were invited to participate as volunteers, and family members were also encouraged to join in.

The events take place in shallow surf conditions and each participant is accompanied by three volunteers. They start off being shown how to get into a wetsuit and why it’s important to wear one in the

PhotographS: ILENE TAPUCH, supplied

Adaptive surfer Dries Millard has conquered a number of challenges, and in doing so has empowered differently abled individuals with the desire to enjoy and compete in water-based sports events. By Cherelle Leong

Opposite and below: Dries Millard’s desire to inspire and empower differently abled individuals led to the founding of the nonprofit organisation Extreme Abilities.

PhotographS: supplied

Above and left: The days when NSRI helps out at Extreme Abilities events are one of the highlights on our calendar. It’s a chance for our crew to share our love of the ocean with others.

cold water. Then they are assisted into beach chairs so that they can access the water. Once in the water, they are transferred to standard surfboards with modifications or custom-shaped boards for prone surfing, and then assisted through the surf by the volunteers. They spend 30 to 40 minutes surfing small waves to the beach and are often having so much fun that they have to be called back in so that others can have their turn. People of all ages and various abilities participate, and in the process they discover there’s much more they’re able to do. It’s hugely empowering for the participants and their families, and inspiring for the volunteers who assist them.

Dries’ ambitions haven’t stopped there, however. His passion for inspiring differently abled people has led him to become a motivational speaker, travelling the country, talking about adaptive surfing

and water safety at schools. He works with many other organisations around the country, including the NSRI, to promote water safety, adaptive surfing and disability awareness. This year he has an extensive road show planned, starting from Elands Bay on the West Coast, travelling the length of South Africa’s coastline, all the way to Richards Bay. En route he will be stopping at schools and local communities, giving motivational talks and adaptive-surfing demonstrations. He will also be doing local radio and newspaper interviews in an effort to raise even more awareness for differently abled people. Dries is an ambassador for Wings for Life World Run, which is a spinal cord injury research initiative piloted by Red Bull. This year he will start filming a documentary on his journey to big-wave surfing.

Dries says he’s very proud of how the

sport of adaptive surfing has developed in South Africa, opening up opportunities for differently abled people. When he started out seven years ago, not much was known about the sport, but this year provincial and national tournaments will be held around the country, leading up to the selection of the team to represent South Africa at the ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship in California in the US in December.

About 15% of South Africa’s population are differently abled and many of them struggle with the tasks of daily living. Events such as these get families together, providing a community of support where they can share their experiences and know that they aren’t alone in feeling and facing what they do.

Dries wants to encourage the general South African public to help disabled people look beyond their situation and help them open their minds to new possibilities by sharing news of adaptive surfing and similar events. That way, people with disabilities could start to realise that there are possibilities open to them – and that they are not disabled but simply differently abled.

Sea Rescue / AUTUMN 2017 /

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STATION DIRECTORY The nsri is manned by more than 1 000 volunteers at 36 bases around the country, including five inland dams. Our volunteers have day jobs but will always respond to your emergency.

STN 2 StatCom:

STN 3 StatCom:

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STN 5 StatCom:

STN 6 StatCom:

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STN 8 StatCom:

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STN 14 StatCom:

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BAKOVEN Bruce Davidson 082 990 5962 TABLE BAY Dr Quentin Botha 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 Alan Meiklejohn 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 082 990 5975 MOSSEL BAY André Fraser 082 990 5954 STRANDFONTEIN Vaughn Seconds

082 990 6753

☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎

40 / Sea Rescue / autumn 2017

STN 17 StatCom:

STN 18 StatCom:

STN 19 StatCom:

STN 20 StatCom:

STN 21 StatCom:

STN 22 StatCom:

STN 23 StatCom:

STN 24 StatCom:

STN 25 StatCom:

STN 26 StatCom:

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 Sara Smith 082 990 5969 VAAL DAM Dirk Manten 083 626 5128 WILDERNESS Robert van Helsdingen 082 990 5955 LAMBERT’S BAY Christo Filander 060 960 3027 HARTBEESPOORT DAM Michael Saunders 082 990 5961 KOMMETJIE Ian Klopper 082 990 5979

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General needs

STN 27 VICTORIA LAKE, GERMISTON StatCom: Gerhard Potgieter 060 991 9301

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: Arrie Combrinck 082 990 5978

STN 32 PORT EDWARD StatCom: John Nicholas 082 990 5951

STN 33 WITSAND StatCom: Theo Erasmus 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

079 916 0390

STN 38 THEEWATERSKLOOF StatCom: Grant Ekermans 072 446 6344

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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 or email your proof of payment.

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GULF_GWN_Q1000 NSRI Autumn FLH.pdf

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GWN-Q1000-1A R22,999

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• The Pavilion • La Lucia Mall • Musgrave Centre • Gateway • Watercrest Mall 0861 WATCHES (928243) www.watchesunlimited.co.za

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SPECIFICATIONS AND PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

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