IN THE NEWS Fundraising drives, events, and station and sponsor news

NEWS

FROM LEFT: Tammy Pasensie, Mollieny Mushayi and Lakin Seconds

SOUTH32 BOOSTS WATERSAFETY EDUCATION IN RICHARDS BAY

24 | SEA RESCUE AUTUMN 2020 Thanks to support from SOUTH32, two new water-safety instructors are now presenting educational workshops to learners in the Richards Bay area. The programme includes peer rescue, dangerous currents, planning for water safety, hands-on CPR and the importance of the Pink Rescue Buoy project.

Phelelani Nene, a marine engineer, is based at the Unizulu Science Centre and all learners who visit the centre will receive a free age-appropriate water safety lesson as part of their visit. Sea Rescue volunteer and sailing instructor Mncedisi Hlalatu will be visiting schools in the greater King Cetshwayo area where there are approximately 40 fatal drownings each year.

According to Unizulu SC director Dr. Derek Fish, Phelelani’s presentations have become an intergral part of the Science Centre. New water-safety instructors Phelelani Nene and Mncedisi Hlalatu are presenting educational workshops to learners in the Richards Bay area.

NEW ARRIVAL On New Year’s Day this year, Station 16 (Strandfontein) volunteers assisted a woman who gave birth at the base. At about 3pm, Mollieny Mushayi, 27, arrived at the base and reported having contractions. Fourth-year medical student Lakin Seconds (the daughter of Statcom Vaughn Seconds), and Tammy Pasensie, an ECP (emergency care practitioner) paramedic student, both on standby, sprang into action to assist her. Forty minutes later Mollieny gave birth to a baby boy.

Lakin says this was her first delivery, and it was an amazing experience to bring a new baby into the world. ‘It was so surreal. I thought we had more time… I went to her, thinking we only had to check vitals and make sure she was okay while we waited for the ambulance. But I hadn’t anticipated that we would be delivering the baby ourselves.

‘It reminded me that I chose the right the right profession,’ she adds. ‘I couldn’t have asked to start the year a better way. I am so blessed to have been involved in this little miracle.’ Mom and baby were transported to hospital by Netcare 911.

We have almost completed the pilot projects for our Sea Rescue Pop-up Survival Swimming courses and are looking for volunteers to run these courses around the country. This is an opportunity for people who would like to volunteer for Sea Rescue in their communities but who want to do so at specific times and do not want to go out in rescue boats.

If you would like to join a Survival Swimming squad and volunteer to teach children how to control their breathing, orientate themselves in water, float and propel themselves to safety in a controlled lesson and environment, please email yaseen@searescue.org.za

We will provide the training, manuals, required equipment, command and control structures, and advise you on when and where to teach! GET INVOLVED WITH POP-UP SURVIVAL SWIMMING:

Guest speaker Theresa Medicine with Jean Wachtel of Highlands House Cape Town. Jean has been a Sea Rescue supporter for 18 years, attending many of our Life boat Club events. Sea Rescue has a number of public relations and guest speakers in Cape Town, Strand, Garden Route, Eastern Cape, Durban and Gauteng who represent us at events and give talks at clubs, schools, retirement villages and company events. We also have a club catering for our retired crew and supporters, the Life boat Club, which hosts regular teas and tours, and an annual end-of-year brunch with special guests. If you would like to invite us to join you as a guest speaker at an event or institution or want to arrange a visit to your nearest rescue base, please contact us at info@searescue.org.za or on 021 434 4011. SEA RESCUE GUEST SPEAKERS

Sea Rescue guest speaker Tanya Meth.

AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE

Johan Coetzee, 26, was diagnosed with Williams syndrome, a genetic condition that affects cognitive and physical development, soon after birth. For Johan, it presented many challenges, including being turned away from formal education at the age of nine after only two weeks in Grade 1. His first contact with Sea Rescue was in February 2007 at the age of 14 when he visited Station 7 (East London), where he was welcomed by then station commander Geoff McGregor, who ignited Johan’s passion for Sea Rescue. Since that introduction, Johan has visited Station 9 (Gordon’s Bay) and Station 17 (Hermanus), where Deon Langenhoven continued showing him the ropes of rescue work. Being welcomed by the Sea Rescue family has made a huge impact on Johan’s life but, in much the same way, his courage and passion in the face of so many challenges have inspired all the volunteers he has met over the years. Johan has written a book about his life with Williams syndrome. The Long Journey was published in October 2019. Johan Coetzee visiting the Rescue Base in Hermanus.

NSRI Pullover in Grey Melange, Navy Blue and Charcoal R580 each

Into a Raging Sea R240

WHAT’S IN STORE

Pink Rescue Buoy and Sea Rescue Cycle Jerseys R480

NSRI Hoodie available in Grey Melange and Navy Blue R700

NSRI Capestorm Cap R249

USB Sea Rescue Man R180

Pink Rescue Buoy and Sea Rescue Activity Shirts R330

MONEY BOXES: Shark, Turtle, Octopus and Whale variations R100 each

RIDING TO RAISE FUNDS

On 12 October 2019, a small group of Harley-Davidson (HD) riders visited Station 5 (Durban) and handed over a donation of R4 800. Informally known as the Wild Hogs, this group of riders used to get together to ride for a few hours every Saturday morning. In 2011 one of their founding members, Brian, passed away, and the following year the group decided to do a ride in memory of him and raise funds for a charity. This evolved into an annual ‘700km in one day’ charity ride, with the riders deciding on a beneficiary beforehand. Funds are raised by asking each member to pay a fee to take part. Anyone who rides a Harley is welcome to join in, as long as they are competent riders as per the HD chapter they belong to. Over the years, the Wild Hogs have raised funds that have contributed towards wheelchairs, blankets and prostheses for clinics and rural hospitals, and the NSRI has twice been a beneficiary. During their visit, the Wild Hogs enjoyed Station 5’s hospitality and watched the launching of two new vessels at the station. Sea Rescue extends a heartfelt thanks to the Wild Hogs for their donation and support.

Some of our Rescue bases are currently being revamped and we are in need of a few items to re-furnish them. In most cases, our volunteers spend a lot of time at the base either training for rescues, on rescue operations or assisting the families of casualties. It’s important to create a comfortable environment to ease the fatigue of our volunteers when they come back from sea after a rescue operation or a tough training exercise, and to provide essentials that are necessary for training sessions. If you would like to assist, please call Natasha on 021 434 4011 or email natasha@searescue.org.za HOME AWAY FROM HOME

The following is a list of requirements for Station 10 (Simon’s Town), Station 17 (Hermanus), Station 24 (Lamberts Bay), Station 26 (Kommetjie) and Station 40 (St Lucia): ››› Good-quality chairs for the training rooms, about 25 each (Stations 10, 17, 24, 40) ››› Fridges (Stations 17, 24, 40) ››› Microwaves (Stations 17, 24, 40) ››› 2 x tables each for the training rooms (Stations 17, 24, 40) ››› New corner lounge suites with a two-seater and one-seater each (Stations 10, 26)

››› A small coffee table (Station 10) ››› 4 x bar stools for the kitchen overhang counter (Station 10) ››› A four-seater restaurant/gardenbench-type seating for outside on the balcony (Station 10) ››› 8 to 10 individual training tables for group training (Station 10) ››› 4 x office chairs (Station 10) ››› A small whiteboard and a large whiteboard each for the control rooms and training rooms respectively (Stations 10, 17, 24, 26, 40)

PINK RESCUE BUOYS

If you are keen to get involved with Sea Rescue but do not want to go out to sea and you only have a few hours a week to spare, how about volunteering to manage the Pink Rescue Buoys in your area? If this is something you think you can help with, please email andrew@searescue.org.za

So far these emergency flotation devices have saved 56 lives. We need you to join us and take pressure off seagoing volunteers by managing the Pink Buoys in your area.

Since its inception in November 2017, NSRI’s Pink Rescue Buoy project has helped to rescue 56 people. We have installed more than 600 pink buoys on strategically placed signposts near bodies of water. Our aim is twofold: firstly, we want them to serve as a reminder that people should always take care when entering the water and not to swim if lifeguards are not on duty; secondly, if there is an incident and someone needs help, a buoy can be thrown to that person, providing emergency flotation. The cost of one Pink Rescue Buoy is R1 500 and we need your help to launch 500 pink buoys in 2020. Your donation could be the deciding factor in saving a life! (Read how a Pink Rescue Buoy saved a life on page 12.) HELP US SAVE LIVES

To thank you for your support, you will receive an entry into our Pink Rescue Buoy Lucky Draw, which means you’d stand a chance of winning a R1 500 gift card to spend at any Outdoor Warehouse countrywide. Please visit www.outdoorwarehouse. co.za for store details.

If you would like to donate, scan the QR code to the right or go to nsri.org.za/funding/donate/

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Visit any one of our 27 stores nationwide For your nearest store call toll-free 0800 007 261

SPONSORS NEWS Since 2017, our friends at Q20 have been sponsoring a wide range of products to the value of R196 000 to our NSRI stations nationwide. Since the company started in 1950, Q20 has been used for lubrication, rust prevention, moisture displacement and protection of industrial and household goods. Our boats operate in a corrosive environment, and this valuable sponsorship contributes to the longevity and reliability of our most important on-station assets.

In 2019, the company came up with an awesome fundraising initiative – to donate R1 of the proceeds from the sale of every can of Q20 to Sea Rescue. Q20 believes that South Africa’s proudest moments are achieved when a nation of people pulls together. In early February, we received a cheque of R100 000 from the sale of Q20 products. Look out for Q20 cans with an NSRI sticker and help support this initiative. Thank you, Q20, for your continued support and your generous contribution towards keeping our assets corrosion-free. Q20 – CARING FOR OUR EQUIPMENT AS MUCH AS WE DO

THANK YOU FOR DONATIONS RECEIVED IN MEMORY OF • Aubrey Richard Harcombe • Richard Mecke • L Snyman • Monty Segal • Philip Heber-Percy IN HONOUR OF • Dr Mark Kadish • Abigail Bisogno • Rob Wyly • Doug Cleland (80th birthday) • Peter Brink (70th birthday) • Mrs Robinson (90th birthday) • David-Phillip Dirks • RL Wicks • Anton Joubert • Melvin Rautenbach (birthday) • Johnny Symmonds (60th birthday) • Mr Scalabrino (80th birthday) • Inge Meyer (birthday) • Richard Shaw (birthday) ASHES LOG • Station 10 (Simon’s Town): Denis Zimmerman, Megan Zimmerman, Francis Dawid Finney, Ann Finney, Renee Lesch • Station 17 (Hermanus): Crizane de Meillon

SAILING FOR SEA RESCUE It all began on the Vaal Dam in July 2017 when Hubert Saayman decided he wanted to participate in the Cape to Rio Yacht Race 2020. He selected a crew who all agreed to join him without hesitation. They would sail on Indulgence, a Stadt 34, that had been a Vaal Dam boat all of her life. The crew then decided to to use their participation in the yacht race to raise funds for Station 22 (Vaal Dam).

The Cape to Rio is the longest single transcontinental yacht race in the world and attracts club and professional sailors alike. Indulgence set sail from Cape Town on 4 January 2020 and shared their story along the way. It was a bucket-list race for the crew, who with 125nm decided to retire from the race and motor into Rio.

To Hubert, Andre, Wynand and Marcel, our heartfelt thanks for taking us on this trip of a lifetime and for the Pink Rescue Buoys you personally funded for the Vaal Dam area.

Join us at the Jive Funny Festival at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town on 15 and 16 June 2020. Sea Rescue is hosting two evenings as a special fundraising event, with tickets at R120 per person. For more information and to book, go to www.nsri.org.za/2020/02/the-jive-cape-townfunny-festival-2020/

THANKS TO MERPAK We were very grateful to our friends at Merpak for their donation of envelopes for our Summer 2019 issue. We were delighted when they extended their generosity by donating the envelopes for all three issues we are posting this year. This means no more single-use plastic when you receive your magazine, and we are able to use the funds saved for vital rescue work. Thank you!

STRATEGIC PARTNERS

GOLD PARTNERS

A&M Logistics / AMSOL / Cargill SA (Pty) Ltd / Damen Shipyards Cape Town (Pty) Ltd / Freddy Hirsch Group / Hoegh Autoliners (Pty) Ltd / Imperial Group t/a Alert Engine Parts / JLT Marine (Pty) Ltd / Kelp Products (Pty) Ltd / Kiddie Rides (Pty) Ltd / Komicx Products (Pty) Ltd / Macs Maritime Carrier Shipping (Pty) Ltd / Mix Telematics International (Pty) Ltd / NCS Resins / Press Spinning & Stamping Co / Rapid Deploy (Pty) Ltd / RF Design / Richard Bay Coal Terminal / Ruwekus Fishing (Pty) Ltd / Sea Harvest Corporation (Pty) Ltd / Striker Fishing Enterprises (Pty) Ltd