LETTERS

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The story of Enoch Mpianzi and the Nyati School Camp made headlines recently, stirring educators and officials to criticise and condemn, calling for investigations, actions, heads to roll! But, in fact, Enoch’s story that week was just one of more than 10 children who drowned in a short period.

Fatal drownings in South Africa, 30% of which are children, are a daily reality. All drownings are preventable. The systems we bring to society are what will prevent these tragic incidents, save our children, prevent the trauma to families and the associated personal and economic loss.

The truth is, we don’t have a culture of swimming or of safety in our country, and it is easy to blame individual teachers or event organisers, abrogating our responsibility as a society to mitigate drowning systemically. Swimming isn’t a compulsory part of the education curriculum. None of the schools our water safety instructors visit has a swimming pool, and very few are near a municipal pool where children can learn to swim.

Swimming is a survival skill yet it is barely on the radar of education. Something is wrong. Surely the system should deal with things that could save your life before dealing with other learnings. The Minister of Education can threaten individuals all he likes, but the fact is that he is complicit in Enoch’s fatal drowning. As are we all.

Sea Rescue is investing significant effort and your funds in both primary and secondary prevention of drowning. In 2019 we educated more than 530 000 children in water safety and in 2020 we launch our Survival Swimming programme to teach children to float and get themselves to safety, so that they have the skills to survive if they unexpectedly find themselves in water.

We believe we can make a difference – if we can reach more than a million children a year, by the end of basic education every child should be able to swim to survive. At the same time we have to address our culture of safety. You will not find a Sea Rescue volunteer, trained and skilled as they are, not wearing a lifejacket and personal protective equipment at sea. Why? Because they have seen the consequences. They have pulled drowning victims from the water.

People say, ‘Culture eats strategy for breakfast.’ In this case culture could save your life or that of your child, a friend or a loved one.

Partner, collaborate, team up: we need every ounce of help we can get to save lives in puddles, ponds, dams, canals, oceans, baths, latrines, trenches and buckets all over South Africa. Join us!

THE CREW

DR CLEEVE ROBERTSON, CEO

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WINNING LETTER Thank you, Caroline, for sharing your story with us. Your books and hoodie are on their way.

MY JOURNEY WITH THE SEA

Although I grew up in Cape Town, surrounded by some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, my first time in the sea was only a few years ago. It was in Kommetjie and I was terrified. It was a big help to see the NSRI boat going past. I knew, at least, if I got swept out or started to drown I would be saved quickly. My second nautical adventure took me snorkelling with seals – equally as terrifying but so exhilarating at the same time! Since then, the sea has become a safe place for me.

In 2016 I was having the worst year of my life: my granny, who raised me, died; I lost my dream job; and I was hurt badly by someone I thought I could trust. In one particularly bad week, I went for my first surf lesson. I thought it would be a good distraction. Initially I thought I was going to die, but the first time I rode a wave back to shore was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. Thankfully there were safety boats in the vicinity. Since then, body boarding has become one of my favourite things to do. The sea washes everything negative out of my brain (and my sinuses too!). At the end of 2018, my friend and I got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go shark-cage diving in Gansbaai. I love sharks and this has always been a dream (despite my fear of open water). The boat crew were not hopeful about seeing any sharks, because the water was choppy and orcas were said to have chased the great whites from the bay a while ago. They said we’d be lucky to see any sea life. However, three bronze whalers showed up, which was quite exciting – but nothing compared to that moment when, suddenly, a huge silvery flash shot past. A great white! A beautiful shark of about 2.5m. She came close, right up to the bars, then swam under the boat and back. (She even spooked the whalers.) We had the pleasure of her company for quite some time.

When we got back to the base, no one could believe we’d seen a great white. I felt so grateful. Thank you to everyone who helps keep the seas safe and who looks out for people like me who can’t control their buoyancy and emotions at the same time. I love you, NSRI! CAROLINE ERIKSEN

I’M IN CHARGE, UNTIL… Whenever I put on that red wetsuit, I’m in charge. Putting on a helmet, gloves and booties makes it even better. Not like years ago when the coxswain had priority to pick the best wetsuit. And if the booties fit his feet, you went barefoot. Even the wetsuits were ‘sized’ to fit to his comfort. Cutting the collar or the sleeves with a breadknife would make the fit better. And you as crew had to be satisfied with the leftovers. But it was fine. Just the privilege to wear a (faded) red NSRI wetsuit put you in charge.

Nowadays it has all changed. Every seagoing crew is equipped with the best. A tailor-made red wetsuit. A helmet with a visor, gloves, booties. And the best: a transformer with a small flashlight. Top-quality safety clothes, equipped to face the worst.

On 16 December I was one of eight people hiking the very popular Schaapplaats trail, a beautiful route in the Ruiterbos district. The first section goes through indigenous forest, then a steep uphill among proteas and then down to the river, where we would have spent the day. This last section to the river is a bit tricky, quite steep down the cliffs, and not really accessible by road yet worth the walk.

Then it happened, just before we descended down to the river: Henkie slipped and injured her ankle. (Henkie and her husband, Fluffie own Schaapplaats). We all could see it was quite serious. We had to get help rather urgently. It was at that stage that I knew how fortunate I was to know NSRI Station 15 (Mossel Bay).

The rest of the group made Henkie as comfortable as possible while Len and myself made our way through the thick black wattle trees up the steep hill to find a way out and to get a cellphone signal. I called NSRI Mossel Bay and acting Statcom Justin (standing in for Andre, who is almost never absent) answered.

I asked him for assistance and, if possible, a chopper would be first prize. After consultation, Justin called to say that the chopper is not available but the crew are on their way. They arrived at Schaapplaats in record time. I met them at the entrance gate, we discussed the plan of action and, after some 4x4 driving, we stopped at a point from where the long walk started. Once we reached the group, crewman Adrian stabilised Henkie’s ankle for the evacuation. She was put onto a spinal board and inside a Bauman bag so that six crew could carry her uphill to safety.

It was a tough walk with several rests in between before we reached the mobile. It was actually a rescue for a chopper, but since that wasn’t possible, the rescue crew did not hesitate for a second to take on the challenge. And they did it brilliantly. One of the hikers offered the rescue crew cold beer, and to my surprise one of the youngsters very politely said, ‘Baie dankie, maar ons mag nie alkohol gebruik nie; ons is aan diens.’ Hats off, young man. Henkie was taken to hospital in their private vehicle, and it was found that she has broken her ankle on two places.

To put it in Henkie’s own words: ‘Aan al die wonderlike mense wat my gehelp het om bo te kom, baie dankie vir julle onbaatsugtige werk. Ek moet sê dis die wonderlikste ding wat iemand nog vir my gedoen het. Ek het julle so jammer gekry met die sware vrag, maar ons sal regmaak met julle. Dankie ook vir diegene wat met hulle privaat voertuie gery het. Ek het nie

woorde om julle te bedank nie. Al wat ek kan sê is dankie! Dankie! Dankie.’ When I am wearing the red wetsuit, I am in charge. But without it I am vulnerable. Fortunately, I knew Station 15. Thank you to all the crew who came to the rescue. Even 35km away from your natural environment (the ocean), you were still, once again, the professional team, in charge in the red wetsuits. DAWIE ZWIEGELAAR, STATION 15 (MOSSEL BAY)

THANKS TO SIMON’S TOWN On behalf of Chris, myself and our daughter, Gavan, and son, Chad, I would like to express our sincere appreciation and grateful thanks to you, Darren and Andrew, and all the crew members for accommodating our request to scatter Chris’ ashes in the bay at False Bay Yacht Club on 28 December 2019.

From the day I called you to make the arrangements to the welcome our large family group received at the gate, your patient assistance with completing the required forms, the way we were escorted to the rescue craft, buckled up safely and informed about procedures and what was expected of us, the fact that you found a calm place to stop on the otherwise choppy waters and a screwdriver to undo the box, and assisted in dropping the ashes into the water – your caring compassion, consideration and the precious time you took out of your busy schedules to spend with us were so heartwarming and very gratefully appreciated by us all. The day turned out to be a fun excursion, which, knowing Chris, was

exactly what he would have wanted. I know he would have approved 100% and without a doubt he was there having a good giggle at us each taking a turn at the wheel. It was such a nice gesture to allow us that privilege.

It was a really happy and peaceful closure. Although Chris had passed away in July last year, we chose to postpone the scattering until Chad could come out from Canada over Christmas, and NSRI team members took time out over the busy festive season to suit us.

Another big thank you, guys. Be assured that we will always keep the rescue crews in our prayers and spread the word about the sterling work you do to save lives and make our waters safer.

Blessings and Godspeed. RENE, GAVAN AND CHAD LESCH

The writer of the winning letter published in the Winter 2020 issue of Sea Rescue will receive a Sea Rescue hoodie and a copy of Living Shores. WRITE TO US AND WIN!

INSPIRING OUR FUTURE GENERATION

‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ Historically the answer has always been a policemen, a firefighter, an ambulance driver, a doctor or a paramedic. All careers of service and value in our communities. We can now add a rescue swimmer or NSRI volunteer to the list.

It’s amazing to see the young children of crew watching their parents with awe as they don their ‘superhero outfits’, taking commands over a twoway radio, rushing off to assist some

one in trouble, and even instructing crew to remember to wash the boats when they returned.

Not all children are that lucky, so when you have the opportunity to show a child around a rescue vehicle, vessel or station, grab it and use it to inspire him or her. You will never know what hope or dream you have instilled in that young mind.

I had that opportunity about eight years ago when I showed a friend’s kids around the station after much pleading from her son. Unbeknownst to me, that was all he could talk about for the next seven years. He finally joined at 15, when we were taking juniors on.

Bryce Vorster’s enthusiasm didn’t end with the eventual access into our station, as he was still not crew. He made himself available at every opportunity so that he could learn every aspect of being a volunteer – from cleaning and maintenance to the numerous skills that need to be mastered. Shortly after turning 16, Bryce became the youngest qualified crewman in our station’s history. BRYNN GERICKE, STATION 19 (RICHARDS BAY)

8 | SEA RESCUE AUTUMN 2020 Originally published in 1981, Living Shores was not only the standard reference for marine-science students but also embraced by the popular market for its fascinating insights into marine and coastal habitats and the life they support. After a long absence, this bestselling classic is back, and has been completely revised and reworked to incorporate the many spectacular discoveries that have emerged over the last four decades concerning our oceans and coasts. Author George Branch is world renowned for his research on marine ecology. Margo Branch is an award-winning biologist and illustrator with wide interests in research, interpretation and education.

Email your letters to info@ searescue.org.za or post them 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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