FROM THE HELM

SUMMER is officialy here and the weather has already sent beachgoers to the seaside and landlubbers to any dam, river or stream to cool off. The Cape southeaster season has yet to start, Covid-19 restrictions appear to be a thing of the past, and we’re in for a busy season, perhaps a huge rebound after a couple of gloomy virus-infected years.

Two school children drowned at Camps Bay recently – in anybody’s life a massive tragedy. We really need to get the message and training out there. Every death prevented has hugely positive social and economic impacts. Our latest fatal drowning data places the South African drowning fatality rate at 2.4/100 000 population annually. This is much better than in other African countries but still too high given that children under the age of four are the most vulnerable category. Our teams are working hard to reach their water safety education and survival swimming targets, but we need an approach that involves the whole of South Africa. So few South Africans can actually swim to survive but we can do it. Join us!

By summer we’ll be at more than 80 different geographic locations, providing services that include both preventative actions by lifeguards and responsive rescue operations. The message really is that we want to prevent you from getting into difficulty and needing our services at all. Of course we’ll be there, but basic advice that deserves repetition over and over again includes the following:

▶ Ensure that children are supervised.

▶ Get local advice on beaches or launches.

▶ Always wear lifejackets on boats, boards, kites, kayaks and skis.

▶ Avoid rip currents.

▶ Don’t drinking alcohol on or near water.

▶ Know what to do in emergencies.

Water must be fun, but it can only stay so if our interaction is responsible and safe. Help us help you!

As always, I want to give a shout-out to you, the community that supports us and helps us with our essential work. Without your active moral and financial support, volunteers all over the country from Port Nolloth to St Lucia and inland would not be able to do what they do. Our core values include life, community, trust, inclusivity, dignity and leadership – values we see through your support every day we teach children or put on a wetsuit, so thank you. You really are an essential part of our journey to make South Africa a water- safe nation.

All the best for the end of this year and the start of a new one. Stay focused, stay safe and stay alive!

DR CLEEVE ROBERTSON, CEO

CAPE TOWN: NSRI, 4 Longclaw Drive, Milnerton, Cape Town, 7441; PO Box 154, Green Point 8051 Tel: +27 21 434 4011 Email: magazine@searescue.org.za Web: www.nsri.org.za facebook.com/SeaRescue @nsri youtube.com/@NSRISeaRescue @searescuesa

WINNING LETTER

A NOTE FROM THE RESCUED AND A DITTY

The Hout Bay Yacht Club (HBYC) rowing group was deeply grateful when the NSRI recently came to their rescue.

The Leopard rowing crew left Hout Bay Harbour at about 10am on Sunday 7 August and decided to head for Seal Island to take full advantage of the beautiful day and perfect weather conditions.

As they rounded the Sentinel corner, the wind unexpectedly picked up and the crew decided to turn back and head for the calmer conditions in the bay.

Very quickly the northerly wind strengthened and the crew was unable to handle the changing conditions. The wind blew them across the bay, leaving them only one option: to try to aim for the vicinity of the beautiful coast-side boutique hotel Tintswalo and drop anchor. The NSRI had been alerted and although they were attending to other incidents because of the extreme weather conditions, they still managed timeously to come to the rescue of the very relieved and grateful crew of the Leopard.

Within minutes of arriving, the NSRI team was in full control of the situation – rowers were taken onto the NSRI boat and given warm blankets, and the Leopard was attached and towed back to safety.

Members of the HBYC rowing group have subsequently met with the NSRI to collaborate on lessons learnt and establish best practices and awareness in preparation for all circumstances and conditions when out in the waters of our wonderful Hout Bay.

Their effort and professional support in rescuing this crew in challenging sea conditions were exemplary.

Once again, many thanks – what a critical and professional service you provide!

As a bit of fun, but in no way to make light of the incident, a band that regularly plays at the HBYC quickly composed an ode to the event in true Irish ballad tradition. [See page 6].

HAYDEN WILLIAMS