NSRI Sea Rescue Winter 2018

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LETTERS A THOUSAND WORDS Graffiti artist Skubalisto lends his visual magic to the NSRI containter base at Monwabisi.

RESCUED AFTER THREE HOURS ADRIFT Station 6 (Port Elizabeth) and emergency services mobilise after a report of two missing divers off Cape Recife.

THROWING A LIFELINE Surf photographer Sean Thompson and handboarder Harry Elcock assist a man caught in a rip off Melkbos.

‘WHY I JOINED SEA RESCUE’ We chat to volunteers whose moms influenced their decision to join Sea Rescue.

GREAT GIFTS From socks and caps to flip-flops and rash vests – you support our crew with your purchase.

KIDS’ CLUB Meet the hero of a new book, and enter our colouring-in competition to win great prizes.

IN THE NEWS Fundraising drives, events and station news.

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AGM AND AWARDS Honouring NSRI volunteers and contributors.

CONTENTS Winter 2018

MOST IMPROVED STATION OF THE YEAR 2017 Station 16 (Strandfontein) is honoured with this special award.

SAVING LIVES. CHANGING LIVES. CREATING FUTURES.

LEAVING A LEGACY Remembering the NSRI in your will can have a far-reaching impact.

PADDLING FOR FREEDOM The inaugural Freedom Paddle was the perfect way to commemorate Freedom Day, and it was done safely with the SafeTrx Flotilla app.

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FOR NATURE. FOR YOU The NSRI and WWF share a common goal – to keep the oceans safe.

STATION DIRECTORY

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19 SEA RESCUE WINTER 2018

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FROM THE HELM 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

I

’ve just got out of the tidal pool after my morning swim.

It’s raining, and the sea water is warmer than the rain – it must be winter! My swim also reminded me of two of our crew, Heidi McAllister and Jessica Thomson from Station 3 (Table Bay), who are soon to complete a Robben Island swim and are using our ‘GivenGain’ platform – and the power of collaboration – to raise funds for Sea Rescue.

We do a lot, but most of what we do could not be achieved without working with all sorts of people and organisations across the country. These relationships and their extensive diversity and spectrum are key to achieving our vision.

Government and parastatals are long-term partners; the President has always been our patron; and the Department of Transport, the South African Search and Rescue Organisation, TransNet National Ports Authority and SAMSA are close collaborators, although in a positive and robust interaction we don’t always agree and often wrestle to evolve the right approach. ACSA, likewise, is a staunch supporter with whom we work to maintain coastal airport aircraft-ditching plans.

All around South Africa we depend on local emergency medical services to back us up with paramedics in the air, at sea and on land, and without our own paramedic medical capacity this collaboration provides a welcome safety net for the ill and injured we rescue.

In the prevention space, our working relationship with the Department of Education and individual schools accommodating water-safety education is essential to reaching at least a percentage of the 15 million learners in the system. Discussions with Scouts South Africa, the Department of Water and Sanitation, Lifesaving South Africa, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and other organisations will expand both advocacy for and education and skills development related to water safety. We recently met with the Coordinated Inland Water Safety Project and in future will be included in their structures and share our experiences to advance water safety inland on dams and canals.

At a rescue level we interact daily with local authority services, private services, lifesaving agencies, the diving units of the South African Police Service, clubs, fishing companies, and sports bodies and individuals. Each one of these interactions ensures that we deliver on stakeholder expectations and save lives.

Rescue is a collaborative and team effort: together we don’t drop the buoy!

THE PUBLISHING PARTNERSHIP MANAGING EDITOR Wendy Maritz ART DIRECTOR Ryan Manning ADVERTISING Nicholas Lumb EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Mark Beare PRODUCTION DIRECTOR 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 2018. All rights reserved.

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

PRINTING Paarl Media Cape

DR CLEEVE ROBERTSON, CEO

www.facebook.com/SeaRescue

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THE CREW

SEA RESCUE WINTER 2018

ISSN 1812-0644

@nsri

youtube.com/c/NSRISeaRescue

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Habot Marine Services (Pty) Ltd Tel: +27 (0) 31 5346019 e-mail: paul@habotmarine.com | em-order@ghabotmarine.com www.habotmarine.co.za

LETTERS NOITARENEG TXEN

SEIRES RC-HJ RAMNAY SENIGNE LIAR-NOMMOC ENIRAM PHM 011 - 08 - 75 - 54

WINNING LETTER Thank you, Chris, for sharing your story with us.

Your American Tourister travel bag is on its way to you.

Read about our pink rescue buoys fundraiser on page 24.

Photograph: Andrew Ingram

THANKS FOR AN ENJOYABLE AFTERNOON

This letter is to thank Roy and Helen Wienand for the wonderful afternoon that we were fortunate to spend with you at Station 5 (Durban). The talk you gave was absolutely enthralling and afterwards it was highly informative to inspect all the equipment that you use.

I think that all of us were absolutely amazed at the dedication you and all the members of the NSRI show towards others by rescuing them in times of great need and indeed peril. There are not many people in this day and age who would give so freely of their time D eniraMAlso, ,daoRwe ecivreS 421 and expertise and expect nothing einvirreturn.

5047 nwoT epaC ,dnaliE nedraaP must thank you for the delicious tea and coffee that you SSALC SSALC SSALC a z . o c . e n i r a m e p a c s a e s @ g n o j e d j | 1 0 2 8 1 1 5 12)0( 72+ NI TSprovided. tneicffiE leuF lufrewoP tN eiuIQTSEevitcennocretnI NInT aeS lCE EB This all went down very well az.owith c.enirour amemembers pacsaes.www B B and I know that they are all deeply appreciative. Once moc.eniramramnay.w w w | YGOLONHCET ENIRAM NEVORP again thanks to you both for a wonderful afternoon and we wish you both and the NSRI in particular all good fortune and strength in the years that lie ahead.

ROBIN RALFE, Chairman: UKZN Alumni Association It has taken me a while to write this letter but at least I can now report a spot of progress. Well, it should have been my 16th cycle tour but unfortunately this wasn’t to be as some 67km out I somehow collided with a couple of other riders, badly injuring my right leg besides various minor scratches. As luck would have it, your Kommetjie station was only a few hundred metres down the road and they quickly brought me in on their quad bike and administered some first aid.

The crew was so good to me and kept me comfortable till the ambulance eventually arrived. I have been a member of NSRI just about since its inception, though never an active crew member. There was, however, a close association and in the days of Sue Sperry running your PE office I used to sell vast quantities of your Christmas cards and now in my old age am a member of your Life boat Club.

In all my years of fishing, diving and yachting I have never required your services before and now dash me if I didn’t need you on land! The ambulance took me to the Constantiaberg Mediclinic, where I underwent plastic surgery.

Please pass on my sincere thanks to Jamie and crew at Kommetjie, and also thank them for looking after my bike, which my son subsequently picked up.

Many thanks and I hope I don’t need you again next year!

Email info@searescue.org.za CHRIS HANDLEY

rescue on land

or phone (021) 434 4011

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For NSRI membership or Sea Rescue subscription details

SEA RESCUE WINTER 2018

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2017/10/24 3:07 PM

At 19h30 on Friday 4 May, Station 21 (St Francis Bay) duty crew were alerted after the tug boat AHT Carrier reported that, while towing the MT Order to Maputo, the tow rope that was tethering her to the casualty boat had become separated and had fouled the tug boat’s motor. She was unable to recover the tow rope to re-attach a towline to the casualty vessel and reported that both the tug boat and the casualty vessel were drifting shorewards in the currents about 15 nautical miles offshore. (See letters below.)

propeller fouled I would like to forward my deepest and sincere appreciation and thanks to the NSRI teams from Stations 21 and 37 [St Francis Bay and Jeffreys Bay] and their base support teams who came out to give support and medical standby during the time of the bridle wire recovery and tow connection. We had to work as close as 5m from the bulbous bow of the MT Order to recover the very short bridle pennant on deck. It was comforting to all on board to have the rescue teams in close standby should any immediate evacuation of crew have been required. I take my hat off to those guys who offer their time for the preservation of life to all connected with the seas.

Give them all a Bell’s from us.

Russel Duse, Master, MT SA Amandla

sincere thanks I am the BU Manager for AMSOL’s (ex Smit Amandla’s) Offshore Marine Services Business Unit and the management of our tug SA Amandla, which is the SAMSA/NDOT ETV on the coast, falls under my accountabilities.

We were mobilised to come to the assistance of the AHT Carrier and the MT Order to help with a reconnection as the tug had lost the tow and was unable to reconnect. The situation was initially under control. She was 30 miles off the coast, and we were not dealing with

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Sea Rescue WINTER 2018

anything other than assisting with the reconnection.

But the situation changed when she started drifting onshore. I had spent the night (in conjunction with Paul Kotras, the owner’s local agent) trying to get divers out to the casualty as the AHT Carrier got a rope in her propeller, and also to try and assist her to reconnect.

At around 2h00 the following morning he called me to advise that he was unable to get the divers out, and I suggested that he contact you guys.

I just want to say that your response was superb and really saved the day – if it wasn’t for your team, the vessel undoubtedly would have grounded in the St Francis area.

So, many thanks again; your rapid and professional assistance was commendable and of great assistance.

Dave Murray, BU Manager, Offshore Marine Services (See above for details of rescue.)

thanks from crew of donna mia Please accept our thanks to you, Lyall Pringle, coxwain Geoff Stephens and all the members of Station 8 (Hout Bay) who contributed to assisting our yacht Donna Mia when she was becalmed off Slangkop with a broken engine and seasick crew.

You saved the students a miserable

night and I thank you for giving up your evening to assist us. We were most impressed by the cheerful and professional manner with which you carried out the tow to Hout Bay and docking Donna in a berth at the marina.

Our students also extend their thanks for the care and hospitality extended at your base and for arranging accommodation and transport for them.

Alex Cousins, Principal, Yachtmaster Ocean Sailing School, South African Sailing

paper vs plastic Thanks so much for the wonderful NSRI magazine. It is a quality publication that I thoroughly enjoy. One concern I have is that it arrives wrapped in plastic. I feel with the heightened awareness of the issues around the environment and particularly our oceans, perhaps a paper envelope would be more appropriate.

Thank you for considering my suggestion.

Lana Stacey Ed: On a positive note the plastic used is 100% recyclable, and can be included in recycling collections – but we agree with you and we are looking for a suitable alternative..

every little bit helps When I was in Elands Bay over the long weekend I read about the nine fishing vessels that got into trouble at St Helena Bay. If it wasn’t for the NSRI, what would have happened to these vessels?

Once again, NSRI did a good job without invoicing any skipper. They do this work with money they get from donations and sponsors. I have been a member since February 2016, with a little contribution via debit order.

NSRI is very important to each and every boat owner. It does not matter how big or small. While I was sitting there I was thinking, why can’t we do something to get more money or sponsors for NSRI? If every boat owner made a contribution of R100 a month or even per year, it would add up. If, for example, we have 200 commercial boats just in Cape Town whose owners sponsor R200 per month, NSRI would

get R40 000 per month. I put some of these suggestions on social media and within one day got plenty of positive feedback.

PIETER NEL

IN HONOUR OF FRANCIS ROSE I want to say such a big thank you to everyone at HQ for the very efficient way in which you got back to me about the matter of the Francis Rose plaque.

I am so thrilled that the plaque is safely on display where it should be. My parents were responsible for getting the info about Francis Rose to my cousin, Ida Bristow, who donated the plaque to NSRI.

I received the lovely picture of the plaque and will add it to the family book that I researched and produced about 20 years ago. It is called A Legacy of Love. The Story of our Rose Family in SA. A Legacy of Love was the name given to my great-gran’s diary, which contained the original data of the Francis Rose story. She, along with my great-aunt Caroline, founded the original school that became Herschel, but that’s another story!

I am now a signed-up member who will support the NSRI monthly and be proud to do so.

BARBARA LAWSON (NÉE ROSE) The plaque reads as follows: In memory of Francis Rose who, on the morning of 4 January 1821, displaying extreme gallantry, lost his life in saving all on board a ship that had come to grief in Table Bay. After hours of battling against storm-tossed seas and riding towards the shore for the last time, his noble horse became utterly exhausted and was swept away with its rider. Francis Rose was only 17 years old.

Write to us and

WIN!

The writer of the winning letter published in the Summer 2018 issue of Sea Rescue will win this stylish, high-quality American Tourister travel bag. Enjoy value-added features including a large U-shaped front pocket, a comfortable integrated top handle, lockable zippers on the main compartment and front pocket, and a large mesh zipper pocket.

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.)

A THOUSAND

words

Graffiti artist Skubalisto brings Sea Rescue to life with his likeness of volunteers on the sides of the NSRI boathouse at Monwabisi. Andrew Ingram discovers the man behind the magic.

profile

T

he high-pressure hiss of a can of spray paint can easily be heard from 50m away. Skumbuzo Vabaza, known to friends as Skuba and to graffiti art followers as Skubalisto, stands back, red spray can in hand. With his left hand, Skumbuzo moves his dreadlocks away from his face. Spray-painting the long side of a 12m shipping container that has been converted into a Sea Rescue boathouse requires some concentration. The scale of the figures must be correct. The faces, done in Skumbuzo’s instantly recognisable style, are so good that they appear to be alive.

On a wall to my right sit seven young boys from the Waves for Change project, their surfer wetsuits zipped up and their legs swinging, their heels sometimes bumping against the wall. One boy looks at me and with a self-conscious grin gives me the ‘Island Style’ wave – middle

fingers curled into a fist, with the thumb and little finger sticking out.

We are at Monwabisi Beach, where Skumbuzo is breathing life into our repurposed shipping container. The design features huge, oversized Sea Rescue volunteers wearing lifejackets with happy smiles on their faces.

A law-enforcement officer walks across the road and stands, hands on hips, watching as Skumbuzo sprays a lifejacket onto the first man in his design. I expect to see disapproval on the officer’s face as I walk up to him. Instead I see a broad smile.

I greet him and he looks at me, nods, and looks back at Skumbuzo.

‘What do you think?’ I ask him.

‘Great,’ he says. ‘It’s Clint. It’s very good.’

I turn back to look at the design and must agree. It’s clear that the first person in the design is Strandfontein Sea Rescue volunteer Clint Abrahams. His

eyes are crinkled in the corners from a broad smile. The likeness is uncanny.

Clint joined Sea Rescue on the fourth anniversary of the 1976 uprising that began in Soweto on 16 June and spread countrywide, profoundly changing the sociopolitical landscape in South Africa.

In his own unwavering, determined way, he has made a lifetime sacrifice of his personal time that he’s donated to help those in need at sea: 38 years’ volunteer service to NSRI. And after all these years, the coxswain and deputy station commander is as committed to Sea Rescue as the first day he joined.

Later I’m sitting in Skumbuzo’s studio. He looks me in the eyes. ‘It was amazing talking to Clint,’ he says. ‘He’s an amazing guy. I never knew that people volunteered at Sea Rescue and I struggled to figure out what state of mind someone has to be in to put their

Sea Rescue WINTER 2018

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profile

‘I never knew that

Youngsters from the Waves for Change project watch Skubalisto working.

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Sea Rescue WINTER 2018

and I struggled to figure out

what state of mind someone has to be in to

put their lives at risk on a daily basis

without any financial reward.

and after a while he began receiving commissions.

‘After I came back to South Africa, Langa became my primary focus. I have family and friends there. Langa is small and when you paint something, people know that there is something new. There is an amazing youth culture there…’

He recalls the story of the first wall he painted in Langa and bursts into infectious laughter.

‘I was bored,’ he explains. ‘We saw this wall and my friend Thulani says to me, “No, no, you can paint here,” and the next thing this guy comes up to me and says, “Hey, what’s up?… I like your painting.”

I’m like, “Thanks, man.” And he’s like, “This is my house…”’

Skumbuzo cracks up again. ‘We’ve been friends ever since.’

It turns out the wall he’d decided to paint was part of the home of legendary graffiti artist Robane. And that chance meeting lead to many collaborations and commissions, one of which was to paint murals on the old Langa flats. This task,

commissioned by the City of Cape Town, offered a well-known group of graffiti artists – including Breeze Yoko (who is currently doing a artist residency in Paris, France), Mr Fuzzy Slipperz aka Lisolomzi Pikoli (who is painting in London in the UK at the moment), Robane and Skubalisto – the chance to do extremely high-profile work.

Skumbuzo thinks back to the children and law-enforcement officer who stood watching him work at Monwabisi.

‘Painting in a public space is really cool.

I start communicating with people I never thought I’d communicate with. And 80% of the time when I’m painting in daylight, cops come to talk to me. At the end of the day, they are people who are trying to make ends meet. Someone who has a family.

‘Kids are the people I communicate with the most while I’m painting. The Waves for Change kids were there every few days and came to talk to me. There was one kid specifically who was obsessed with what I was doing and how I was doing it. So after the second day I got him to help me out with fills, showing him what the different caps do and he got me to paint his board… Chain reaction. Domino effect. Four or five boards later they had Waves for Change and their nicknames on their boards,’ he says, then falls silent.

There is the distinctive smell of spray paint in Skumbuzo’s studio. Although he isn’t working at this time, I imagine that I can hear the pssst, psssst, psssssst sound that the spray can made when Skumbuzo was putting the final touches to the huge, white Sea Rescue wording on our Monwabisi boathouse.

‘In a world that tells us to make every moment of our life lucrative, you choose not to. You choose to volunteer. It’s amazing,’ he says, looking into the distance.

main Photograph: andrew ingram; waves for change image: kelly cowell

lives at risk on a daily basis without any financial reward.

‘It kind of goes against capitalism.

Or against what life is geared for. Most of the time we do things for financial motivation, and then you get people who do things because they can’t live without it,’ Skumbuzo says.

The latter statement applies just as well to his own work. Skumbuzo’s art has evolved since his first commission by the Revolution Café in San Francisco. ‘I was 20 and had no idea of what I was doing,’ he recalls.

That particular artwork, however, certainly does not show that. It features the word REVOLUTION in large yellow letters hovering over a street scene. On the left is a youth with a rock in his hand.

On the right is a woman, cradling a crying baby in her left arm. Her right arm is extended in a closed-fist salute and her mouth is wide open in a defiant shout. On top of the buildings in the background are silhouettes of angry people. Their arms are waving. Some have rocks in their hands. It is clearly South Africa. It is clearly our revolution.

‘I’ve always liked painting walls, the concept of public art,’ says Skumbuzo.

The Revolution Café mural gave Skumbuzo confidence in his ability and he started going around to companies, saying, ‘Hey, I can do this on your walls,’

people volunteered at Sea Rescue

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real-life rescue

Two missing divers drifted 8km off Cape Recife while a three-hour search for them unfolded.

By Judy Venter

P

TOP AND TOP RIGHT: The missing divers are found and brought on board Spirit of Toft.

ABOVE: The EMS helicopter and Spirit of Sufski IV set out on the search.

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Sea Rescue WINTER 2018

ort Elizabeth dive instructor Juan Snyman, 45, and advanced open-water dive student Rezano Damoense*, 36, found themselves lost at sea following an advanced training dive to 30m. They were part of a group of five divers who were doing a recreational dive at a site off Cape Recife Lighthouse, Port Elizabeth. The recreational divers aborted their dive due to bad visibility, they safely ascended and boarded the dive boat. Juan and Rezano continued with their dive and skill sets as part of the training and on ascent inflated one of their surface marker buoys.

Upon surfacing, they realised that they had drifted during the dive and were some way from the boat. ‘We came up and could see the dive boat, but the skipper and other divers couldn’t see or hear us,’ Juan explains. The sun was directly in their eyes, creating a glare off the ocean. ‘We inflated our second orange surface marker buoy and blew our whistles attached to our dive gear, but we were downwind and being swept away by the current, further and further from the boat.’

The skipper soon became concerned for the two unaccounted divers and,

following lost-diver protocol, alerted the Noordhoek Ski-Boat Club (NSBC), who in turn contacted Sea Rescue Station 6 (Port Elizabeth). The skipper deployed a flotation buoy along with two highvisibility life jackets to mark the initial position of the dive site, then began searching and were joined by other boats requested to help.

On receiving the call, Ian Gray, Station 6 station commander, immediately activated the Sea Rescue crew. Spirit of Surfski IV was trailed to NSBC to launch from their slipway, and the 10m all-weather rescue boat, Spirit of Toft, was prepared and launched from PE harbour.

‘Things happened fast from there,’ recalls Ian. ‘We requested medical backup and a chopper from Metro EMS. We alerted SAPS Rescue Divers and Port Control. Coastal Water Rescue was activated to conduct beach searches and lookouts in the Cape Recife area.

We asked NSBC to prepare a forward command post and chopper landing pad.

MRCC had been notified and was drafting a search pattern.

‘Arriving at the drop point we found it well marked,’ says Ian. ‘Several boats

Photographs: Peter Deysel, Eugene Coetzee/The Herald

RESCUED AFTER THREE HOURS ADRIFT

Upon surfacing,

they realised that

they had drifted during the dive

and were some way

Photographs: Peter Deysel, Eugene Coetzee/The Herald

from the boat.

could be seen searching the area and the chopper was off in the distance conducting an aerial search. I then asked all the boats to rendezvous with Spirit of Toft – it was time to brief them on a new and coordinated search pattern. It was becoming evident from the reaction of the surface marker buoy that there was a much stronger current in play and we would need to increase our search distance.’

As the boats approached, Ian noticed that Juan’s wife, also an experienced dive instructor, was on board one of them.

‘I asked her what Juan would do if he was swept away on the surface and she told me he would keep the two of them floating together and wait for help. I then asked her to join me on Spirit of Toft.’ They agreed that the rescue would continue under the assumption that the divers had made it to the surface and were alive.

In the meantime, Juan and Rezano were drifting rapidly further away from the coastline. They remained calm by talking through emergency procedures.

They had already dropped their weight belts and had planned to ditch their cylinders and regulators if they had not

been found before 1pm. Luckily both divers were wearing sufficiently thick wetsuits.

‘We could hear and see the chopper and boats Divers Rezano Damoense (left) and Juan Snyman. in the search party site, Juan’s wife spotted something in the so we felt it was just a matter of time water. ‘It’s them!’ she said. before we were spotted,’ says Juan. ‘We The boats approached to 20m, a Sea alternated swimming on our backs and Rescue swimmer hit the water and, just front to try and stay within the protection like that, they found the divers floating on of the bay and maintain our position, their backs, smiling and in good spirits. but we kept cramping. We were quite They were swiftly helped onto Spirit of thirsty too. At one point we noticed a Toft, where Juan was greeted with a very dark shadow in the water next to us, but teary and happy hug from his wife. She thankfully it turned out to be an inquisiteased Juan, saying there was no need tive seal. Rezano joked that at least this for him to swim to Bali, their soon-to-be experience would count as practice of holiday destination. the lost-diver procedure for his rescue NSRI would like to thank all those diver course.’ involved with this operation – it was great With Spirit of Toft at centre and six other teamwork with a positive result. boats at 100m intervals on either side, they travelled in a sweeping line, following *It came to our attention after the rescue the direction of the current and wind. that Rezano Damoense had applied to join They were approaching the first shipping Station 6 as a volunteer and his applicalane – a potentially dangerous area for two tion was accepted two weeks before this floating divers – when, 8km from the dive incident. We welcome him on board!

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throwing lifeline

Surf photographer Sean Thompson captures handboarder Harry Elcock in action.

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Sea Rescue WINTER 2018

Photograph: sean thompson

A

REAL-LIFE RESCUE

Earlier this year surf photographer Sean Thompson and handboarder Harry Elcock saved the life of a bodyboarder caught in a rip at Melkbos. Sean tells the story.

PHOTOGRAPH: SEAN THOMPSON

A

s a person who spends a fair amount of time in the water at Melkbos, I’ve learnt not only to love the sea but also, more importantly, to respect her. Melkbos often has strong rips that can catch unsuspecting bathers and water users in an instant. I recall being at the beach one evening when Sea Rescue was installing the Pink Rescue Buoy and thought to myself that it was a good idea.

On 15 January I was shooting the waves in extremely choppy, windy and rippy conditions. A middle-aged man was bodyboarding closer to shore with his young son and daughter.

The kids got out of the water and he paddled outside of me.

I had a feeling that this could go awry, as he had no flippers on and seemed a bit out of his depth. As he drifted down the beach I chose to tail him. He continuously but unsuccessfully tried to paddle into waves that were breaking on the outside, reforming, feathering and then breaking on the beach.

It wasn’t long before my gut feel proved to be correct. He was caught in the strong rip current and was trying to paddle against it. I knew it would be stupid of me to try and swim out to him, as I was also finless. The only thing that came to my mind was to try to use the Pink Rescue Buoy that had been installed down the beach. I left the water and ran to the device. On my way back, I passed a chap who was standing at his car. I shouted to him to call the NSRI, please, and then ran down to the water. I tried to calm the casualy’s kids, who were crying and extremely anxious by now. I tried to reassure them that everything would be okay and asked them to look after my water housing while I went to help their dad.

I waded out as far as I could. The rip was pretty strong so I stopped at about waist depth, held the end of the rope and threw the Pink Rescue Buoy out toward him. By now he was fairly far out and it was beginning to get dark. The rope just wasn’t long enough and I couldn’t go any deeper, as I was already struggling against the surge of the rip myself. While I was trying to get the buoy out to the bodyboarder, the guy who was at his car had suited up and came down armed with his fins and handboard. He swam out to me, took the end of the rope and swam out to the bodyboarder. He gave the flotation device to him and then swam back to me, dragging the

guy in distress behind him. When he reached me, he gave me the end of the rope and then quickly swam off to catch some waves. I made my way back to the beach, pulling the chap behind me. By the time we reached the safety of the shore, NSRI crew had arrived in their 4x4. They took the Pink Rescue Buoy from me and attended to the bodyboarder.

As I walked back up the beach, I watched as the emotional children went to their dad as he left the water – I am so glad it was emotion of relief rather than any other.

I posted the story on the local community Facebook group the following day because I believe people needed to understand the dangers of the sea, as well as the importance of the Pink Buoys and what to do if they’re involved in a similar situation. I also urged the community to keep an eye on the Pink Rescue Buoys to prevent theft or vandalism, and shared a link where donations could be made to raise funds for rolling out more of these devices. It took me a day or two to track down the handboarder who had made the rescue possible by swimming out to the bodyboarder in distress. I’ve subsequently met up with Harry ‘the handboarder’ Elcock and have been fortunate to take a shot or two in the water of him doing what he loves.

IN CLOSING

I think we should all take a bit of time to familiarise ourselves with a few things: ■ Look after those pink devices on the poles. It might be you who is in need of it one day. (There have been incidents of theft.)

■ Be aware of the rips. They are unpredictable and take you so quickly.

■ Keep an eye on your fellow water users.

■ Make sure you observe the water rather than just going in. As benign as Melkbos beach seems, those rips can get heavy quickly.

■ Don’t venture out of your comfort zone.

■ If you get into trouble try to wave to people to signal that you need help. (The man we helped didn’t.)

■ Don’t fight the rip. We panic and forget this, but there is an exit point at a rip. I was trying to tell the guy to paddle sideways; instead he kept trying to paddle straight back into it.

■ I had observed two young girls, maybe four years old, playing in knee-deep water earlier in the day. There was quite a push and the one girl was knocked off her feet and washed up on the sand. The mother/parents were sitting way up on the grass bank chatting. These incidents happen so quickly – caution is the watch word.

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CREW STORIES MICHAEL SAUNDERS STATION 25 (HARTBEESPOORT)

Three volunteers share the special role their moms played in their decision to join Sea Rescue.

JASON DE VILLIERS STATION 8 (HOUT BAY), ASR, HEAD OFFICE VIDEOGRAPHER My mom was a teacher at Constiantiaberg Preprimary school, and Spencer Oldham’s (Class 1 Coxwain) daughter was in her class. Since I have been on boats my entire life my mom mentioned to him that perhaps I’d be interested in joining NSRI. When we had a boat in Simon’s Town I used to watch the Station 10 base launching. I love helping people and being on the ocean, and saw the NSRI as a great opportunity to do something that I love in aid of a great cause.

Spencer brought me to the base one Friday night, and I joined in on the training that weekend, which turned into a call out for pilot whales stranded on Noordhoek Beach. Because I was only 16 at the time, my trainee period lasted until I was 18 and eligible for crew. The courses Sea Rescue sent me on were an awesome experience and a real learning opportunity. At-sea training has given me a host of incredible skills pertaining to maritime rescue, people management and conflict resolution – skills I can take with me in my future at NSRI and my career.

Not only did my mom facilitate me joining NSRI, she also gave me lifts to the base before I had a driver’s licence, she got me up at the hours Sea Rescue asks of its volunteers and she’s been a source of wisdom throughout my formatory years at Sea Rescue, helping me understand the complex dynamics within the organisation and giving me the confidence to continue even when I doubted myself.

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months later was invited by then station commander Dave Friedlinghaus to a training night. By the end of the evening I was inducted into the rank of trainee crew.

What followed was a good six months of intense, on-the-job training, and in March 1985 I received my official crew status.

I moved to Cape Town and joined Station 16 (Strandfontein), where I became deputy station commander and later station commander. All of a sudden it was no longer just training and jumping on a boat, it was now taking responsibility for the crew, assets and operation of the entire rescue station.

In August 2010 I was transferred to Pretoria and I thought it would be the end of my NSRI career. I was gutted. However, I received a call from head office asking if I’d be willing to join Station 25 (Hartbeespoort), which was short of qualified crew. Over the next three years, station commander Rod Pitter and I managed to build the base to the 20 strong members we have today. Rod stood down as station commander at the end of 2016 and I took over on 1 January 2017.

Over the years my mother has continued to play a very important role in my involvement in NSRI, often with words of encouragement, praise and support. So thank you, Mom, for exposing me to a life I probably never would have had the opportunity to partake in; you allowed me the freedom to take part in an activity most moms would have discouraged because of the danger, you stood by me through the years that I’ve been a part of this incredible organisation, often sacrificing sleep, lunches, dinners, birthdays and special events so that I could pursue my passion knowing I had a loving home to go back to.

You’ve sat many an hour with my partners in life, giving gentle guidance during those long and often late operations. I owe you a debt that can never be repaid; you are my hero and inspiration.

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PHOTOGRAPHS: SUPPLIED

‘WHY I JOINED SEA RESCUE’

My story starts in the mid-’70s when I was 10. My mother, Myrna Wishlade, worked for Mike Landry from Station 6 (PE) as his PA. Those were the days before cellphones and if a call came in it would be to the office number during working hours.

My mom would field the call, take all the details and alert Mike. I guess my mom was an unofficial shore controller. During the operation she’d continue to field calls and keep concerned wives and even the base updated on developments.

On weekends, we’d often join the crew at the station for get-togethers. I’d be tasked with sweeping or cleaning out the boat shed or cleaning the rescue craft on its return from training. As a reward, my mom and I would be allowed to go out on the rescue craft for a trip with the crew on training or a patrol. So I guess you could say I started my NSRI career in Port Elizabeth, even though it was unofficial.

My official start was at Station 14 (Plettenberg Bay) in 1985. After completing my military service in ’83, I was working and living in Plett. I put my name on the station’s waiting list in 1984 and a few

WENDY SCHEEPERS STATION 10 (SIMON’S TOWN) Four years ago, after many months of deliberation, I formally joined NSRI Station 26 (Kommetjie). It was a decision to make myself available for one week every three weeks in case of emergency.

I joined in the knowledge that being a member of Sea Rescue is an enormous commitment.

For the next 11 months, I trained as often as I could, more than the required amount. I loved going to sea but was also happy to stick around in the control room to keep the controller company during long rescues. Some of my favourite memories of volunteering at Station 26 are working with members of WaterWise in educating local children about water safety and how to get help in case of emergency.

I used to dream of being a sea-going crew member, and being awarded with the lighter blue button-down, the old

noel nsri advert.pdf 1 2015/10/15 03:26:51 PM

uniform we used to attach badges to.

Finally, after much hard work and study, I was awarded my crew badge at an all-crew meeting… and the uniform. I couldn’t have been more proud.

After my decision to move from Kommetjie to Station 10 (Simon’s Town), I was once again put through my paces. I spent a great deal of time training on the big boat and learning more about off-shore rescue operations and yachts. Simon’s Town has always been a special place to me, and I was thrilled to be volunteering and spending more time there.

A few months ago, our station held its celebration of 50 years of National Sea Rescue and invited many past

crew members to join us. As I sat and watched, I thought perhaps I could be here again for a 75th anniversary, looking at these greenhorns like me and thinking about some wild experiences at sea.

I hope to be at Sea Rescue for the next 25 years. I hope to be able to help more people. I hope that Sea Rescue continues to change my life in amazing ways. I joined to honour my mother, and her memory gives me strength.

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

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GREAT GIFTS

LIMITED EDITION Unisex T-shirts honouring 50 years of service

R150

Proceeds from the sale of these items help us fund rescue clothing for our rescue crew and lifeguards.

Colourful caps from our ‘Be Bright’ campaign Colours: yellow, pink, orange or green.

Sizes: one size fits all, with adjustable toggle

Colour: navy blue Sizes: XS –XXXL

+ POSTAGE

R65

+ POSTAGE

R240 ADULTS

R180 RESTUBE flotation aid This wearable flotation device with a whistle is very compact and comfortable, and inflates when triggered. These products can be used over and over, year after year. Once activated you simply replace the canister.

They are perfect for people who swim long distances, take part in triathlons or train in open water. They can be used if you feel ill or tired during a swim or to assist a fellow swimmer in difficulty.

R1 200 R1 300 CLASSIC

TEENS

R150

R125

CHILDREN

A PAIR

Fishy Flops Fundraiser for our Lifeguards thanks to our friends at Reef Wetsuits.

These are the most comfortable slops we have ever worn. Try them!

Adults’ and children’s sizes

SPORT

ANVI nautical instruments Fundraiser thanks to our friends at Global Marine Systems (GMS).

We stock a wide range of quality, imported products that make lovely gifts. We pack them with loving care and deliver through PostNet or by courier if you prefer.

Rash vests Fundraiser thanks to our kind friends at Rip Curl Various colours and designs.

R18

PER PACK

Christmas cards Afrikaans: Wens u ’n geseënde Kersfees en ‘n voorspoedige Nuwejaar English: The inside of the card is blank for your own personal message Each pack contains five cards and five plain white envelopes.

Rohan climate socks Technical walking and trekking socks made of merino wool for cool and cold conditions from Advanced Technical Sock Industries.

Export quality and not available in South African retail stores.

Wide variety of colours and sizes.

R60 A PAIR

ORDER ONLINE:

www.nsri.org.za/shop/

This year we will not be printing a Christmas-card catalogue. Sales have been dwindling steadily and we have reached the point where this project is no longer raising funds and is struggling to break even. Sales of our Afrikaans Christmas cards and Afrikaans story book are particularly slow, so, in response to the market, we will now keep limited stock.

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SEA RESCUE WINTER 2018

CLUB K I D S CLUB KIDS THE BRAVE TURTLE by B. D. Harris & Megan Bird

Late one night, Sam rolls off her bed and splash! Her entire room has flooded! Not just her room, but the whole house is filling up with water as the world floods outside.

Confused and cold, Sam is rescued by a wise little turtle called Neville, who takes her along the beautiful underwater highway, teaching her the ways of this watery world.

(Published by Imagnary House,

on sale from October 2018. Turn the

page to order your copy or a cute toy. )

ANNIE LEARNS TO SWIM

by Katrin Coetzer When Annie’s mum wants her to learn how to swim, she buys her a new swimming costume. But Annie doesn’t like water... It’s wet and splashy and deep...

Until her swimming teacher, Miss Klara, pairs Annie with Lisa, who swims just like a sea otter!

(Published by Bumble Books, R149; visit www.printmatters.co.za to order)

SEA RESCUE WINTER 2018

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ORDER ORDER YOUR VERY OWN FORM BRAVE TURTLE

Preorder your copy of The Brave Turtle book and/or toy at searescue.org.za/shop or fill in the order form below and fax it to 021 434 1661 or post it to Sea Rescue, PO Box 154, Green Point, 8051.

R180 – The Brave Turtle book R120 – Brave Turtle or whale toy R300 – Complete set

Sea Rescue crew rescue turtles and whales, so when you buy a Brave Turtle (or whale) you help support the important work we do.

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

Surname: ................................................................ ......................................................................................

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

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

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

Please tick your order: The Brave Turtle book Brave Turtle/whale toy Total: ..........................................................................

Please find enclosed cheque

for ..............................................................................

Deposits can be made at: ABSA, Heerengracht branch

Shweshwe is printed fabric widely used in traditional South African dress – it is known as the tartan of South Africa. Themba Training offers entrepreneurial training paired with practical skills, such as sewing classes, to equip individuals with the necessary skills needed to become small business owners and enter the formal or informal job market. Our Brave Turtles were made with love by Themba entrepreneurs. We love our planet and we always look for creative ways to recycle the clothing and products we can no longer use.

(Each Brave Turtle has a heart made from recycled wetsuits that were worn by our rescue crew when saving lives.)

WOODEN TOYS FOR

YOUNG AND OLD These unique handcrafted ‘old school’ wooden toys are made by a local craftsman. The non-toxic, lead-free water-based paint is sprayed on with an airbrush and items are sanded to give them a smooth finish.

Branch code: 506 009 Account number: 1382480607 Account holder: National Sea Rescue Institute

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

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SEA RESCUE WINTER 2018

Visit searescue.org.za/shop TO ORDER ONLINE

competition winners 1ST PLACE

Congratulations to the winners of last issue’s surfboard art competition.

3RD PLACE

Bolin Potgieter (14 years)

Rosemary Khumbaniwa

2ND PLACE

Mia Toich (11 years)

✁

✁

join our club 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:.........................................................................................................

* If your mom or dad is a rescue volunteer, you can join at no cost.

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colouring-in n i o t co mpeti Write to us!

Email your art to info@searescue.org.za or write to us at Kids’ Club, PO Box 154, Green Point, 8051.

These are our new rescue boats. We paint them red, yellow and white and we name them after the sponsor.

Why don’t you choose your own colours and choose a name for your boat.

Ask Mom or Dad to make a photocopy for you, then colour it in and send us your entry.

You could win one of three prizes.

The competition closes on 30 September 2018.

SEA RESCUE WINTER 2018

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SAFETY

IN THE NEWS

OCEANS ALIVE

BELOW: Photographer Sean Thompson shares his story of how he and Harry the handboarder saved a life using the Pink Rescue Buoy at Melkbos (see page 14).

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Sea Rescue WINTER 2018

Two Oceans Aquarium Pink Rescue Buoy locations match those of the Wavescape surf cams with the idea that we can keep an eye on them and make sure they don’t get nicked!

The locations are: ■ 7th Avenue slip, Melkbosstrand ■ Table View (webcam hosted by Primi Piatti) ■ Big Bay, Blouberg (webcam hosted

by Big Bay Lifesaving Club) ■ Noordhoek Beach (webcam hosted

by African Encounters) ■ Long Beach, Kommetjie (webcam hosted by The Last Word) ■ Clifton 1st Beach (webcam is actually on 4th Beach but there is a greater risk on 1st Beach) ■ Two at Muizenberg (one webcam hosted by Corner Surf Shop and the other by Gary’s Surf School) ■ Strand main beach (webcam hosted

by Strand Lifesaving Club) Each sign has a unique location number

These young men sponsored the cost of two Pink Rescue Buoys in exchange for this epic shot with their big-wave heroes.

and an emergency phone number. So if one goes missing, please let us know.

Maryke says, ‘I am always fascinated by ordinary people doing extraordinary things – and the NSRI’s Pink Rescue Buoy drive has not only contributed to saving 11 lives since the launch in November 2017 but has also given ordinary bystanders a safe way to help!

As friends and long-standing partners of the NSRI, we are thrilled to be able to support this incredible drive. As ocean-passionate people and surfers we also know we will be backed by the entire surf community – and therefore we selected beaches for our sponsored Pink Rescue Buoy roll-out with good surfer presence and, of course, Wavescape surf cams to help the NSRI keep more eyes on ocean conditions as well as on these rescue buoys. We would also like to acknowledge and thank the more than 1 000 volunteers who assist in ocean rescues, teach water safety and very often help us save marine wildlife. This is an extraordinary organisation and very deserving of our and your support.’

Maryke fell in love with the NSRI as a child when she entered and won one of our colouring-in competitions. Speaking of colouring-in competitions, in our last issue we asked you to send in your fun designs of painted surfboards as part of our Wavescape Artboard Auction feature. The winners are Bolin Potgieter, Mia Toich and Rosemary Khumbaniwe.

Photographs: andrew ingram

I

t was a sold-out performance.

Famous South African big-wave surfers – including Mickey Duffus, Mike Schlebach, James Taylor, Dave Smith, Ross Lindsay and Greg Bertish – joined comedian Nik Rabinowitz at the Two Oceans Aquarium to share their giant wave adventures in a unique project to save lives around the coast. Steve Pike, also known as ‘Spike’, of Wavescape, put together an impressive presentation of terrifying big waves and hectic wipe outs that had us glued to our seats.

We have a great relationship with Two Oceans Aquarium, which makes a generous donation every year. We like our donors to choose a specific project to fund, and Maryke Musson, curator of Two Oceans Aquarium, chose Pink Rescue Buoys. She didn’t just want to fund them – she also wanted to encourage others to get involved. So she pledged R25 000, which translates into an impressive sponsorship of nine buoys, and then offered to host an event to match her donation.

Wavescape is always good to us and Spike was happy to jump on board and get involved.

PLATINUM SPONSORS

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PHOTOGRAPHS: ANDREW INGRAM

• Atlasware • Lusitania

Marketing Services • Peregrine Equities • Denso SA (Pty) Ltd • Macs Maritime Carrier Shipping (Pty) Ltd • Store Maintenance and Installation Specialists (Pty) Ltd • JLT South Africa (Pty) Ltd • Two Oceans Marine Manufacturing • Mix Telematics International (Pty) Ltd • Freddy Hirsch Group • Imperial Group Ltd t/a Alert Engine Parts • Viking Fishing Co (Pty) Ltd • Richards Bay Coal Terminal • Anglo American Thermal Coal - New Vaal Colliery • Press Spinning & Stamping Co • De Beers Marine (Pty) Ltd • Westpoint Fishing Corporation • Robertson and Caine • Africa Bunkering & Shipping • Lusitania Marketing Services • A&M Logistics (Pty) Ltd • Duxbury Networking • RF Designs • Denys Edwardes Approved Collision Repair Centre

FROM LEFT: Ryan Manning, Nick Lumb, Wendy Maritz, Mark Beare, Christine de Villiers and John Morkel.

THE PUBLISHING PARTNERSHIP RECOGNISED The Alric Simpson Floating Trophy is awarded annually to a person or organisation rendering distinguished service to the NSRI. The Trophy is sponsored by Mrs Eleanor Simpson and her two sons, who wanted to have an unusual award named in memory of their sea-loving husband and father, Alric – and the result is the Alric Simpson knot board.

This year we honour The Publishing Partnership’s (TPP) remarkable effort and contribution since 2004 to the successful production and publication of the NSRI magazine, Sea Rescue.

In 2004 we had 700 volunteers and 20 000 donors, which translated into a print run of 20 000 magazines for the first issue for Winter 2004: covering 24 pages, it was printed in black-and-white with a colour cover and was sponsored by Pertec for the first three issues. By Summer 2005/6, with hard work and focus, advertising had grown to the point where we could afford a full-colour edition of the magazine.

In 2007, 2009 and 2013 Sea Rescue won the coveted Sappi Pica Award in the category Best Custom Publication, an achievement in no small part thanks to TPP’s production team, innovation and design.

TPP publishes our magazine three times a year and does so at no charge as part of its social responsibility programme – no

small contribution, considering the magazine now boasts a circulation of 87 000, clearly having developed into a publication that is much loved and anticipated by our readers. The best indicator of their loyalty is the degree to which our readers engage with us, leading to some issues where the readers’ letters section spans up to seven pages!

By 2016, postage for delivery of the magazine to subscribers had become a strategic consideration and TPP came up with the novel idea of shrinking the magazine size to save on print, paper and postage, resulting in a substantial annual saving to the NSRI. It is for this important contribution to the ongoing story of the NSRI family that we award The Publishing Partnership the Alric Simpson Trophy this year, with particular thanks to Executive Director Mark Beare, Production Director John Morkel and Managing Editor Wendy Maritz, who have made this publication such a success.

We owe The Publishing Partnership a great debt of gratitude for the role they play in telling the stories that are Sea Rescue, for building our brand and for assisting us in connecting with all our stakeholders in such a warm and engaging manner.

SEA RESCUE WINTER 2018

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NEWS

ABOVE: Blake Pittaway (NSRI Melkbosstrand trainee coxswain and NSRI lifeguard squad leader), Gordon Ludski (Rotary Durbanville) and Liezl van der Merwe (NSRI guest speaker).

Safety first at the Merrifield Mile

Merrifield Preparatory School and College hosted its 16th Mile on 4 March.

The Merrifield Mile is an open-water swimming event that takes place at the Wriggleswade Dam near Stutterheim. Being safety-conscious, they asked our rescue crew from Station 7 (East London) to assist them.

The event consists of four separate components: ■ The Merrifield Mile: From the start, the swimmers move down the slipway at Wriggleswade Dam and swim towards a tall floating buoy. They then move around the right-hand side of the buoy and make a left turn towards the bank near the clubhouse. The exit is clearly marked and the time is taken when the swimmer crosses a line after exiting the water.

■ The MerriDash: This is a 500m event for swimmers who don’t feel ready to take on the full mile. This event takes place at a different time and is finished well before the start of the main mile event.

■ The Terraforce 250: This is a 250m event for less confident swimmers who aren’t yet up for the 500m MerriDash or the Merrifield Mile. Also scheduled for a different time, it wraps up ahead of both the longer events.

■ The ‘Spur Splash’: This event is for children aged eight years old and under.

They may use floats or swim aids, and an adult is permitted to accompany each 2018/06/26 11:04child.

Rotary Durbanville invited Liezl van der Merwe to speak to their club at a dinner evening.

Blake Pittaway from NSRI Melkbosstrand joined her to speak firsthand about rescues he had in. 1 NSRIbeen AD RYANinvolved STRAMROOD.pdf

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“In a unique and highly entertaining way, he illustrates just how limited we are by our own beliefs.”

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www.ryanstramrood.com | gill@stramrood.co.za

SACRIFICE

I

’m not a huge fan of writing that starts with the dictionary definition of a word. Part pretentious, part laziness is what it often feels like. It’s disconnected from emotion. When I do it here, it’s necessary to explain the gap between a cold definition and an experience. I’m telling a story of where my understanding of what it meant was two weeks ago, where it is now, and why I now appreciate its incredible importance.

As a verb, sacrifice is the act of giving up something that is valuable to you in order to help someone else.

This time two weeks ago, I was underwater in a swimming pool for four-and-a-half minutes. Half of that time I was unconscious. I experienced shallow-water blackout, a state you can push yourself into when you purge carbon dioxide from your body and your brain no longer gives you the signal that you need to breathe. You pass out and you can easily drown. You have minutes not only to get the water that has filled your lungs out but also, more importantly, to get enough oxygen to your brain so you don’t suffer permanent damage or – going further – not come back at all.

An eight-year-old who is incredibly switched on and acted quickly under pressure realised that something wasn’t right, and with her mother got my head out of the water. Her mom instinctively made a decision to call the NSRI, who responded in less than a minute to arrive in numbers to help. Their quick response and immediate, decisive action was another difference between life and death.

Nearly a dozen people dropped what they were doing at that moment.

I don’t use anyone’s names while writing this – not for lack of appreciation of those who saved my life but because ego doesn’t matter, as those involved with the NSRI themselves would tell you. What I’m describing, a specific story that ends with a tangible difference between a person living or dying as a result of the actions and sacrifice of others, is what happens daily in this organisation. I feel privileged to be part of a community where men and women sacrifice time with their families to help others. And wanting to feel genuinely privileged because that’s what a kind and open-hearted human being should feel, and genuinely feeling privileged are not the same thing. Having your life saved does have one standout perk: nonoptional, engaged humility.

That humility now allows me to understand why a close friend of mine who earns a modest income makes donations every month to the NSRI. Financially she has very little and so in her action she demonstrates a far more real understanding than mine of the value of sacrifice, her own and that of others.

It’s important here for me to describe what my perception of the NSRI was before a fortnight ago. Knowing very little about what the organisation did and stood for, I put together a lazy narrative that this is a men’s club where the aim is to chirp around the braai. There’s probably some misogynistic chat going on in this fairy tale. That’s all based on a very limited amount of information and several bakkie loads of assumption. I don’t expect many people to be as judgemental and ignorant as I have been, yet I’m sure

we all experience different degrees of understanding of the true nature of what goes on in our communities. Sacrifice is going on all around us, very often unnoticed. It allows us to connect with our humanity, the principle of giving up something for ourselves so that we can give to someone else – the definition, with emotion, reads differently. In case anyone reading this has been as entitled and selfish as I have been in my life, I read a great quote about this recently: ‘The most decadent, indulgent, juicy treat you can ever give yourself is to give to someone else.’ If, like me, you let your dark side run wild and would prefer not to, I find it very reassuring to know that I can change.

In the week that followed, I and the people I love (the eight-year-old heroine included) were invited to visit the NSRI station to see how they operate (another significant act of kindness and community). Close to the control room there’s a picture of a young girl on the wall. With respect to her and to the NSRI, her story is not mine to tell. What’s significant about the picture on that wall is what she represents: the motivation, the connection, the reminder of the sheer heart connecting the men who saved her life and what they give up each day to dedicate themselves to do what they do.

The ‘why’.

The sacrifice.

Thanks to the NSRI and thanks to the people who care for me who called them and took action, I now have the privilege of the choice to give to others. I have a truer understanding of sacrifice. Thank you to those people for that gift.

(The writer has requested to remain anonymous.)

search-and-rescue replacement fleet programme We have included a fold-out brochure of our new search-and-rescue replacement fleet programme with this issue. This is the largest capital project we’ve ever undertaken and we need all hands on deck to make it a reality. Please take some time to read it and let us know how you’d like to be involved. Please pass it on to a friend or a colleague, or let your children take it to school for show-and-tell or for an oral project. We have a team that is able to come to your office to present this information face to face, or you could email us if you have technical questions. Sea Rescue is a community and we look forward to sharing this journey with you and inviting you to join us in celebrating each milestone ahead.

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NEWS

St Francis Bay

Wine’derful Supporters!

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St Francis Links. Richard also chooses the winemaker and convinces them to provide top-quality wine, and often prizes to auction at the event too. However, there is one specific job he leaves to Joha – choosing the theme! All supporters attending the evening as guests always come dressed up according to the theme, and the air is electric with excitement as everyone is absolutely guaranteed to a delicious meal and a wonderful evening.

While Richard and his team provide the food and wine, St Francis Links Golf Course provides the stunning deck venue for the evening and takes care of preparing the meal. The chef at St Francis Links pairs his meal to the wines offered by the winemaker and all the staff at St Francis Links Golf Club volunteer their time free of charge weeks ahead, from planning the event to setting up on the day and well into the early hours of the next morning after all the dancing.

Part of the fun is when the Station 21 volunteers hang up their wetsuits for the evening and try their hand at serving the delicious three-course meal expertly paired with the chosen wine. Banter in the kitchen with the professionals and the crew along the lines of ‘Some of them should not give up their day jobs!’ makes for a genuinely fun evening, even for those ‘working’. All the crew members are also invited to enjoy the delicious meal.

In keeping with tradition, the winemaker discusses the wines selected for the evening, and might have to raise his voice a little to get the attention as the wine flows and the guests enjoy themselves. In 2017, Tops SuperSpar St Francis Bay and Bergkelder Vinoteque Wine Estate and Durbanville Hills Cape Town sponsored just over 300 bottles making sure that the fun never ran out!

There is always entertainment supplied for the evening, notwithstanding the entertainment by our very own bubbly Jo Brown, who as always ensures that the evening follows its schedule and masterfully manages the annual auction, and to whom the crew owes their eternal thanks!

The evening always includes many lucky draws and prize giveaways, and all the prizes from draws and from the auction items are sponsored by various companies and individuals around South Africa. In 2017, the most sought-after auction item was a ‘money can’t buy’ tour for two through the legendary Bergkelder private cellar and the winning bid by Mr Vincent Lyons drew a standing ovation from the other guests and the crew of Station 21.

Station commander Sara Smith commented: ‘Each year we are overwhelmed by this event and the support it receives, and it is most crucial that the concluding word is a gigantic “thank you” to the guests of the event, the sponsors of the prizes and, last but not least, the organisers, Jo Brown, Richard and Joha Moolman, Jeff and Liezl Clause, and their teams, from the accounts department through to the top chef, for the invaluable support that they provide our station.

Thank you!’

PHOTOGRAPHS: ST FRANICS CHRONICLE

I

n its fifth year, the Annual Village Square Tops and St Francis Links Food & Wine Pairing raised in excess of R230 000 to the benefit of Station 21 (St Francis Bay). The crew was overwhelmed by the support received from the Village Square SuperSpar and Tops with supporting sponsorship from St Francis Links, winemakers and Spar suppliers, as well as from the community of St Francis Bay, bringing most of them close to tears.

Over the past five years it has always sold out well in advance as a big hit on the St Francis Bay social calendar and is often attended by more than 200 guests.

Initiated by Richard Moolman and his wife Joha in partnership with St Francis Links and a number of suppliers and winemakers, this event has grown from strength to strength. In 2013, station commander Marc May accepted a wonderful fundraising cheque of R66 000; in 2014, nearly a doubled cheque of R120 610; and in 2015 and 2016, station commander Paul Hurley accepted on behalf of the station R131 000 and R73 319 respectively.

Last year, on one of the most successful evenings to date, a very overwhelmed crew of St Francis Bay was elated to hear that a massive R220 000 was raised – and on the final recon we were able to determine that, with additional pledges made later in the evening, a resounding R230 000 was deposited.

Richard from the Village Square Tops and SuperSpar in St Francis really cares, and we could hear it in his welcoming speech: ‘I have a long personal history with the NSRI and it is a passion of mine to be able to help in any way I can.’ With a hand-picked team of professionals and a list of go-to suppliers, Village Square supplies the ingredients for the dinners with the help of the top chef at

THANK YOU FOR THE

DONATIONS

RECEIVED IN MEMORY OF • Mr Peter Flicker • Mrs Joan Maclachlan BIRTHDAYS • Mr CE Westergaard for Mrs Audrey Tipping (90th) • Mr Peter Smith for Mr John Coaton (70th) • Mrs Elise Gundelfinger for Mr Dennis Haarhoff (80th) • Mrs Gillian Margaret Newell for Mr Emil Moller (70th)

ASHES LOG • St 2 Bakoven 4 March 2018 Peter Robert Smith • St 10 Simon’s Town 18 March 2018 David Boon • St 10 Simon’s Town 22 May 2018 Richard Andrew Mansfield

Team effort The year 2017 marked my 10 years of service at Station 6 (Port Elizabeth). What a journey of self-growth, skills development, highs and lows. Moments that I won’t ever forget – both happy and sad. I have been blessed with friendships that go deeper and run stronger in a manner that can’t be explained.

One of the fundamental lessons I learnt being part of a rescue team is that it’s never about one person but about being a team. You are part of a machine made up of parts and each part is as important as the next. These parts turning together is what makes the rescue a success. The radio operator is as important as the man at the helm, who is as integral as the crewman catching lines on the jetty, who is as important as the swimmer in the chopper who gets his patient back to land.

In the years I have been at Station 6, I have been part of more than 163 operations. In all these operations I have been trusted in the radio room, on the vehicles, on all our vessels, as a medic, to teach, to assist, to hold a patient’s life in my hands as I lower them to our rescue vessel, to release animals, and the list goes on. The reward of helping where you can is deeply gratifying.

I could regale stories of rescues that I was blessed to be a part of, but the bottom line of any story I tell is that it was a team effort.

Sheryll Grobler, Station 6 (Port Elizabeth)

PHOTOGRAPHS: ST FRANICS CHRONICLE

Standard Bank becomes a Platinum Partner

FROM LEFT: Stuart Moerdyk, NSRI, hands over the Platinum Sponsor Certificate to Eben Klopper of Standard Bank.

‘To achieve their dreams and ambitions – their Nexts – people must be empowered by innovative tools, sound advice and efficient service. Standard Bank Western Cape, like all Standard Bank divisions, provides these integral elements to success, but we also go one step further: we support the National Sea Rescue Institute. Those in the communities we operate in cannot fully focus on achieving their Next unless they feel secure; a safe environment is essential if creativity and ambition are to thrive. The NSRI’s 1 000 unpaid volunteers work to save lives through education, prevention initiatives and coastal and inland rescue operations.

Essentially, our commitment to move this charity forward is really a commitment to move all of us forward,’ says Eben Klopper, Executive: Provincial Head Western Cape, Standard Bank Group.

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AGM

AGM AND AWARDS EVENING Each year we pause to reflect on the previous year, to review the financials, to elect the leadership and to recognise the bravery and long-service commitment of our rescue crew.

We acknowledge the contribution of all our donors, supporters and crew. This year we met on 9 June at Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town. Special thanks to Mark Bayly who once again managed the proceedings – and the lively crowd – as our MC at no charge.

BRAVERY AWARDS

1

2 THANDI RESCUE: On the afternoon of 15 September 2017, crews from NSRI Station 3 (Table Bay), NSRI Station 8 (Hout Bay) and our NSRI Training rescue boat went to the assistance of the Robben Island ferry, Thandi, when she began to take on water in Table Bay with 68 passengers on board.

CEO Letters of Appreciation are presented to the boat crew of: 1. NSRI Hout Bay: Bevan Geyser, Carmen Long, Craig McIver and Rory Friedman 2. NSRI Table Bay: Daryn Clark, Davide del Fante, Gal Chiles, Heather Forrer, Ian Watson, Marc de Vos, Nadia Niemann, Patrick van Eyssen, Paula Leech, Robyn Silverstone, Rudi Fisch and Yaseen Gamiet 3. NSRI Training rescue boat: Andrew Keil, Bianca van Zyl, Brett Ayres, Graeme Harding, Hans-Daniel Heimann, Paul de Villiers and Robin Fortuin

3 Recognition for the exceptional effort during the Knysna and Plett Fires A CEO Letter of Appreciation was presented to: NSRI Station 12 (Knysna) and NSRI Station 14 (Plettenberg Bay)

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4

5

6 4. The Most Improved Station of 2017: Station 16 (Strandfontein) 5. The Pat O’Sullivan Trophy for the Best Class 1 Station of 2017: Station 17 (Hermanus) 6. The Best RIB Station of 2017: Station 21 (St Francis Bay)

STATION AWARDS

SPECIAL SERVICE AWARDS 7. ALRIC SIMPSON TROPHY 2017 is awarded to The Publishing Partnership for distinguished service to the NSRI through the publication of the Sea Rescue magazine since 2004. The magazine is an award-winning publication that is enjoyed by the 87 000 supporters who receive it. The Publishing Partnership publishes the magazine at no charge to NSRI as its corporate social responsibility.

7

LONG-SERVICE AWARDS 20 YEARS Krista Lazzari / Head Office staff Barbara McNamara / Station 5 (Durban), later volunteer first-aid trainer Paula Leech / Station 3 (Table Bay) Dewan Henn / Station 17 (Hermanus) Adrian James / Station 6 (Port Elizabeth) Alan Singman / Station 6 (Port Elizabeth) Robbie Robinson / Station 26 (Kommetjie) 25 YEARS Craig Lambinon / Station 2 (Bakoven), later spokesman Grant Skinner / Station 3 (Table Bay) Andre Fletcher / Station 5 (Durban) Malcom Manion / Station 5 (Durban) Stuart Buchanan / Station 10 (Simon’s Town) Keryn van der Walt / Station 11 (Port Alfred) Andre Jerling / Station 14 (Plettenberg Bay)

MARMION MARSH TROPHY 2017 is awarded to Howard Godfrey for his noteworthy service to the cause of sea rescue in South Africa for more than 46 years.

Hendrik Niehaus / Station 23 (Wilderness) Shawn Michaels / Station 34 (Yzerfontein) 30 YEARS Stephanie Daniels / Head Office staff Graeme Harding / Station 12 (Knysna), later Head Office staff Edward Noyons / Station 20 (Shelly Beach), later regional representative Andrew Matthews / Station 8 (Hout Bay) Spencer Oldham / Station 8 (Hout Bay) Stephane le Roux / Station 14 (Plettenberg Bay) Dawie Zwiegelaar / Station 15 (Mossel Bay) 35 YEARS Andrew Ingram / Station 2 (Bakoven), later Head Office staff Johnny Albert / Station 2 (Bakoven)

Howard Bell / Station 2 (Bakoven) Erwin Selk / Station 10 (Simon’s Town) Mike Elliot / Station 12 (Knysna), later Honorary Life Governor Ian Klopper / Station 26 (Kommetjie) 40 YEARS Mark Hughes / Station 19 (Richards Bay), later Head Office staff Michael Clark / Station 17 (Hermanus) 50 YEARS Ian Strachan (right) / Station 9 (Gordon’s Bay), later Honorary Life Governor SEA RESCUE WINTER 2018

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AWARDS

Most Improved Station is an award to be proud of, but what does it mean and how did a group of men and women on the False Bay coast earn it?

By Megan Hughes

V

aughn Seconds explains that success is not achieved instantly.

After a break, he returned to serve his fourth term as station commander with fresh eyes and new ideas. Running a successful rescue base means you need good structures in place, regular training and an excellent working committee to achieve better communication and streamlined processes. You must also be transparent in your finances and create opportunities for the station to fundraise.

Taking pride in the building you operate from and the assets you use require many hours of maintenance each weekend.

Building the morale of your

crew means encouraging them as a team, because strength comes in unity despite differences.

Regular recruitment drives and PR initiatives have helped Station 16 to grow their crew complement and increased their visibility in the community. They now have a team of committed volunteers who take ownership of and responsibility for their portfolios and carry out their tasks with pride. They are encouraged, motivated and eager to grow in all the various disciplines needed to be rounded Sea Rescue volunteers.

This incentive has translated into a vast improvement in all aspects of the station’s activities over the last

Photographs: Sam Rorwana, lifesaving sa

MOST IMPROVED STATION OF THE YEAR 2017

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Station 16

crew members are

encouraged, motivated and

eager to grow

in all the various disciplines needed to be rounded

Photographs: Sam Rorwana, lifesaving sa

Sea Rescue volunteers.

18 months, Vaughn says. And, determined not only to be a rescue base on the receiving end, Strandfontein secured a substantial sponsorship of toiletries this year that has been distributed to each base around the country.

Each year, stations are audited on the management of their volunteers, their administration, the maintenance of their assets and rescue base, the way they engage in the community, on social media, and their fundraising efforts.

‘There has been a turnaround of the base under Vaughn’s leadership,’ says Operations Director Mark Hughes. ‘They have worked hard to achieve the standard set by our rescue bases around the country and we are proud to present Station 16 (Strandfontein) with this prestigious award. They have done Sea Rescue and their community proud.’

The formation of Station 16 has a very similar background to how the National Sea Rescue Institute itself was first started. Established in 1970 out of a need for rescue services in the area that followed a tragedy, the late Abraham Poole and a group of committed seamen came together to form Strandfontein Rescue Base. Vaughn and his team are continuing this legacy of serving others, and growing the station to new heights of excellence in their task. Congratulations!

ABOVE: Vaughn Seconds with Mrs Poole, widow of founder station commander Abraham Poole.

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donations

LEAVING A

LEGACY Remembering the NSRI in your will can have a lasting effect.

By Cherelle Leong

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S

ea Rescue is very fortunate to be a beneficiary of legacies, as NSRI CEO Cleeve Robertson explains: ‘The NSRI annually receives substantial donations in the form of bequests from people who were either directly associated with the service, rescued by the service, or developed an affinity with who we are and what we do. In large or small amounts these legacies are used to fund essential lifesaving equipment, often in the form of a boat so that the memory of that donor lives on in association with all the rescue operations and lives saved by that boat and crew. Opportunities also exist for boats to be named after donors, which creates a really special memory.’

In 2015, legacies totaled R6 363 206; in 2016, R7 276 160; and in 2017, R3 387 002. This contributes a significant amount to our capital expenditure and has made it possible to equip and build rescue vessels and stations to ensure

our crew are both safe and well prepared when they are called out to sea for a rescue operation. These are some of the amazing stories of generosity that have made this possible in recent years: Carl and Anne Moore were volunteers at Station 8 (Hout Bay) for many years.

When they passed away, they left the entire estate, which included a home and all its contents, as well as two vehicles, to this station. Proceeds from the sale amounted to several million rand and the funds have been earmarked for rebuilding Station 8’s base to accommodate the larger 15m ORC rescue vessel that will become part of their fleet in 2021.

Station 9 (Gordon’s Bay) was the beneficiary of a similar bequest. Its new 8,5m RIB has been named in memory of loyal supporters Jack and Irene Riley.

Knysna’s new 8,5m RIB is named the Eileen Medway after a Knysna resident who faithfully supported this station. And Station 5 (Durban) is set to receive the first 15m ORC in the Sea Rescue fleet later this year that will be named the Alick Rennie. The donor’s family set up a trust naming Sea Rescue as the sole beneficiary and the funds have made a sizeable contribution to the building of the new ORC.

FROM LEFT: Station 12‘s (Knysna) Eileen Medway; Knysna crew; the blessing ceremony of Station 9’s (Gordon’s Bay) Jack Riley; the late Jack and Irene Riley. BELOW LEFT: Station 20’s (Shelly Beach) Spirit of Dawn.

In 2013 Judge Alexander left us a bequest in his will with a special request to name the project ‘The Smiling Sheila’ after his late wife. We spoke to his daughter, Amanda Dutton, about our idea of revamping the entrance foyer of Station 5 (Durban) to make it a warm, welcoming area that bears testimony to the rich heritage of our organisation. The foyer is a meeting place for our crew, survivors and the families who come to wait for the safe return of their loved ones. It is also a place where our retired crew and supporters gather for teas. Her response: ‘That sounds amazing. Thank you so much. Dad would be very proud.’

When Station 20 (Shelly Beach) received its new 7,3m RIB it was named Spirit of Dawn in memory of the wife of the late Robert Duncan, from whose

estate the vessel had been funded. Robert had been named after his maternal grandfather and uncle, both of whom died at sea during World War I while working as ship’s engineers in the Merchant Navy convoys.

Robert, too, had a love of the sea and was a faithful supporter of the Shelly Beach station during his lifetime.

Not all bequests are a result of personal involvement with a particular station. Donna Nicholas was an American who happened to attend the annual NSRI wine auction one year. Having worked in the finance industry, she was impressed

These legacies

have all had a

huge impact on NSRI’s

with the transparency and efficiency with which NSRI was run as an NPO. As a result, she left a sizeable bequest to Sea Rescue that was received in 2015 and 2016. These funds have been earmarked for capital expenditure to go towards the building of the new ORC fleet.

While many bequests are made for personal reasons, it’s worth keeping in mind that a bequest holds financial benefits both in terms of tax deductions and waivers of estate duties. David Knott, a former NSRI volunteer and Operations Board member who has been associated with wills and estates for some 48 years, advises that it is a simple matter to have one’s will amended by means of a codicil to include a bequest to the NSRI. While some people may choose to leave large portions or even all of their estate to the NSRI, most bequests are for R1 000 or R2 000.

These legacies have all had a huge impact on NSRI’s rescue capabilities. In Cleeve’s words: ‘Legacies are a wonderful way to remember a loved one through the creation of lifesaving facilities!’

(The codicil is downloadable from www.nsri.org.za/ways-tosupport-us/your-will/.)

rescue capabilities.

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Matthew Bouman and Phillip Smith lead the race towards Robben Island.

PADDLING

FREEDOM

The inaugural Bamboo Warehouse Freedom Paddle, a challenging 29km surfski race around Robben Island held on 27 April, was the perfect way to commemorate Freedom Day, and to do so safely with contestants using the SafeTrx Flotilla app. By Rob Mousley

W

hen Robin Tindall kicked off the planning for the Bamboo Warehouse Freedom Paddle, he never expected the support, either from sponsors or from the paddlers, that eventually resulted in nearly 200 competitors taking to the water. The idea was simple: race around Robben Island, the location where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in prison, on Freedom Day, the public holiday when South Africans celebrate the dawning of a new era.

Lead Sponsor Bamboo Warehouse lent a distinctly green feel to the event: the

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medals were made of bamboo, plastic was banned and paddlers were asked to bring their own bags to the briefing to collect their ‘goodie bag’ items.

Course and conditions The course was an out and back – anticlockwise around Robben Island, avoiding weed and kelp beds on the east side, rocks on the north end and reefs on the west side. Aim for the stadium on the way home and appreciate the stunning beauty of Signal Hill and Table Mountain in the background.

Stellar field The front end of the race was packed with some the best paddlers on the planet, with Hank McGregor, Dawid Mocke, Jasper Mocke, Matt Bouman, Hayley Nixon and Sabina Lawrie among them, yet the crew of Jasper Mocke and Nicholas Notten were the local favourites and the team to beat.

Joining the paddlers from all over South Africa was a team from Namibia, led by John Woolf, for whom the trip was something of a homecoming; his father was stationed at the South African Navy

Photographs: John Hishin/Cape Town Sport Photography

FOR

For once the weather forecasters had it dead right, the key component being a light northerly wind, strengthening during the morning. What they didn’t forecast was the swell: enough of a northwesterly bump to provide some interest on the way out, some massive breakers on the west side of the island, and runs to work on the way back.

The race broke new ground in terms of safety too, with all crews using the app SafeTrx Flotilla on smartphones, which enabled the organisers (and spectators) to follow the race in real time on a big screen at race HQ.

safetrx flotilla The lead pack paddles past the notorious Robben Island prison.

The front end of the race

was packed with

some the best paddlers

on the planet,

Photographs: John Hishin/Cape Town Sport Photography

with Hank McGregor, Dawid Mocke, Jasper Mocke, Matt Bouman, Hayley Nixon and Sabina Lawrie among them

base SAS Robbeneiland in the 1950s (before it became notorious for its prison) and John spent the first five years of his childhood on the island.

Halfway to the island, Mocke/Notten (Cape Town) and Bouman/Smith (Durban) broke away from the pack, heading out fast into the swell and the cool breeze. The two boats were well ahead as they raced past the Sea Challenger wreck on the north end of the island.

Meanwhile, Jasper’s older brother, Dawid, paddling with Jono Niemann, had struck trouble: attempting to dislodge some weed that had wrapped itself around their rudder, they instead dislodged themselves – twice! – and their race was over.

Avoiding both the kelp and the massive breakers, the leaders headed, with the wind and waves behind them, back to the city. ‘As we came around the back of the island, we managed to link a couple of runs and open up a gap,’ says Jasper.

‘We thought the last 12km back from the island was going to be a one-on-one race with Matt, and we settled into a rhythm and opened up a gap.’

However, another Durban crew, Tyron Maher and Clint Cook, showed extreme downwind class, working their way through the field to hunt down the Cape duo. ‘They flew through the field,’ says Jasper, ‘and came right up to us, making the last 2km a tight dice.

‘I’m so stoked to have won the first Freedom Paddle,’ he added, ‘especially on this day that means so much to our

nation. This is a race that is going to become a classic on the surfski calendar.’

In the women’s race, reigning ICF Ocean Racing world champion Hayley Nixon, teamed up with ICF Ocean Racing under-18 world champion Sabina Lawrie, completely dominated. ‘It was magnificent,’ says Hayley. ‘From the perfect weather conditions to the significance of paddling around Robben Island on Freedom Day, it was just magic. World class!’

In the single surfski race, Barry Lewin cruised to victory while Bianca Beavitt not only won the women’s race but finished second overall.

‘SafeTRX works and the NSRI are legends’ Cape paddler Rob Moody’s race ended unexpectedly. ‘My family had been down with a virus over the past few days,’ he says, ‘but I was feeling 100% and was having a great race.’ Until he reached the far side of the island, when he suddenly felt as though he’d been hit with a brick.

‘I went from fine to hardly being able to take a stroke, within minutes.’

He hit the emergency button on the SafeTrx app, and the NSRI was notified.

Fifteen minutes later he was in the rescue boat, being ferried in to the finish.

His Strava post said it all: ‘SafeTrx works and the NSRI are legends.’

At the prize-giving, Bamboo Warehouse CEO Graham Solomon announced that his company would be sponsoring

a first prize of R100 000 for the 2019 event. ‘Today has far exceeded our expectations and it’s obvious that we have something truly special in this race,’ he said. ‘Bamboo Warehouse is delighted to be the title sponsors and we hope that the prize money on offer for next year will bring in the internationals to help us celebrate this unique event.’

Jasper Mocke and Nicholas Notten paddle past the wreck of the Sea Challenger on the north side of Robben Island.

double ski (Men) 1. Jasper Mocke/Nickolas Notten 2. Clint Cook/Tyron Maher 3. Matt Bouman/Phillip Smith

DOuble ski (Women) 1. Hayley Nixon/Sabina Lawrie 2. Nikki Mocke/Kim van Gysen 3. Wilma Deyzel/Louisa van Staden

Single Ski 1. Barry Lewin 2. Bianca Beavitt 3. Richard Lowe

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partnerships

FOR NATURE.

The original World Wildlife Fund began in 1961. Seven years later in 1968 it initiated in South Africa. By 1986, this environmental organisation changed its name to the World Wide Fund for Nature – WWF. Now in 2018, WWF South Africa celebrates its 50th year.

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FOR YOU S

outh Africa is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. From Table Mountain and exquisite coastal areas to the world-renowned Kruger National Park, it is abundant with natural splendour. Yet nature is about so much more than fynbos, beaches and wildlife.

Nature is about all of us. It delivers a host of natural services that go unsung and often unseen – fresh water, food and energy to power our homes and industries. And behind South Africa’s diverse and amazing water- and food-supplying landscapes and oceans, WWF is working for nature and for you.

Photographs: (clockwise from left): NATASHA PRINCE, MARK CHIPPS, MICHAEL RAIMONDO

The NSRI and WWF have a common goal that has drawn them together in partnership – to keep the oceans safe.

An icon of conservation Many people recognise WWF by its iconic logo of the black-and-white panda. Some know it through Earth Hour, the annual symbolic 60 minutes of darkness. What many don’t know is that this international environmental organisation has been around for more than 50 years.

It started in Switzerland in 1961 as the World Wildlife Fund. Seven years later, in 1968, the organisation was initiated on South African soil, where it was named the Southern African Wildlife Foundation. As the focus widened over the years from wildlife to the environment as a whole, the international name changed in 1986 to WWF – the World Wide Fund for Nature. This more

accurately reflects WWF’s vast spectrum of work and emphasises the interdependence of all living things.

Photographs: (clockwise from left): NATASHA PRINCE, MARK CHIPPS, MICHAEL RAIMONDO

Making a difference Over the years, WWF South Africa has made notable contributions to conservation and research projects. The first funded project contributed to the expansion of a game reserve in neighbouring Swaziland. The next project involved the tagging of 200 000 loggerhead turtles off South Africa’s tropical east coast.

In the decades that followed, WWF South Africa raised money for a variety of conservation projects that were implemented through like-minded partners and NGOs in the country. While many good initiatives were funded, their cumulative impact was incremental.

Ensuring the wellbeing of our environment against a backdrop of inequality and the need to provide basic services,

the organisation took a big-picture approach in the past decade. This was to tackle the most strategically important environmental issues at policy level and on the ground.

WWF has also developed long-term sustainability partnerships with corporates, retailers and other sector leaders to effect impactful change in the supply chains of high-impact industries.

A future in which people and nature thrive From investing in 128 of our country’s future leaders to date through WWF’s graduate internships to securing land for the establishment of 11 new black rhino populations comprising 242 animals, allowing new growth at each site, plus working with rural communities who live close to these game reserves, WWF’s work is vast, exciting and constantly innovating and evolving.

Sustainable agriculture and lowcarbon transport are also on WWF’s agenda, as are forward-thinking, renewable solutions to our ageing energy infrastructure and ensuring the health of our critical river catchments by working to secure our key water source areas.

Our marine work stretches from the identification, management planning and declaration of the Prince Edward Island Marine Protected Area, to driving the Responsible Fisheries Alliance – a round table of the five biggest fishing companies, as well as WWF and BirdLife – and engaging retailers, restaurants and consumers through the Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI).

WWF’s partnership work extends through a number of associated trusts: the National Parks Trust, South African Wildlife College Trust, WWF Nedbank Green Trust, Table Mountain Fund and Lesley Hill Succulent Karoo Trust. These have resulted in the addition of priority conservation land to SANParks, protection of high biodiversity value land in the Fynbos and Succulent Karoo biomes, significant funding of a range of conservation projects, and the training of almost 16 000 conservation students.

WWF works for nature and for you.

In June 2018, WWF celebrates 50 years in South Africa. Learn more about our country’s natural heritage and support the work of WWF at wwf.org.za Sea Rescue WINTER 2018

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STATION DIRECTORY

The nsri is manned by more than 1 000 volunteers at 38 bases around the country, including five inland dams. Our volunteers have day jobs but will always respond to your emergency.

STN 2 BAKOVEN StatCom: PJ Rabie

082 990 5962 STN 3 TABLE BAY StatCom: Dr Quentin Botha

082 990 5963 STN 4 MYKONOS StatCom: Casper Frylinck

082 990 5966 STN 5 DURBAN StatCom: Andre Fletcher

082 990 5948 STN 6 PORT ELIZABETH StatCom: Ian Gray

082 990 0828 STN 7 EAST LONDON StatCom: Geoff McGregor

082 990 5972

☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎

General needs 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 | Longlife 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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STN 8 HOUT BAY StatCom: Lyall Pringle

082 990 5964 STN 9 GORDON’S BAY StatCom: Alan Meiklejohn

021 449 3500 STN 10 SIMON’S TOWN StatCom: Darren Zimmermann

082 990 5965 STN 11 PORT ALFRED StatCom: Juan Pretorius

082 990 5971 STN 12 KNYSNA StatCom: Jerome Simonis

082 990 5956 STN 14 PLETTENBERG BAY StatCom: Marc Rodgers

082 990 5975 STN 15 MOSSEL BAY StatCom: André Fraser

082 990 5954 STN 16 STRANDFONTEIN StatCom: Vaughn Seconds

082 990 6753 STN 17 HERMANUS StatCom: Deon Langenhoven

082 990 5967 STN 18 MELKBOSSTRAND StatCom: Rhine Barnes

082 990 5958 STN 19 RICHARDS BAY StatCom: Bernard Minnie

082 990 5949 STN 20 SHELLY BEACH StatCom: Jeremiah Jackson

082 990 5950 STN 21 ST FRANCIS BAY StatCom: Sara Smith

082 990 5969 STN 22 VAAL DAM StatCom: Dirk Manten

083 626 5128 STN 23 WILDERNESS StatCom: Garth Dominy (Acting)

082 990 5955

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STN 24 LAMBERT’S BAY StatCom: Gregory Cloete [Acting]

060 960 3027 STN 25 HARTBEESPOORT DAM StatCom: Michael Saunders

082 990 5961 STN 26 KOMMETJIE StatCom: Ian Klopper

082 990 5979 STN 27 GAUTENG StatCom: Gerhard Potgieter

060 991 9301 STN 28A PORT ST JOHNS StatCom: John Costello

082 550 5430 STN 29 AIR-SEA RESCUE StatCom: Marius Hayes

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: Martin Fourie

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: Shane Wilson

072 446 6344 STN 39 ROCKY BAY StatCom: Kevin Fourie

072 652 5158 STN 41 BALLITO StatCom: Quentin Power

060 305 4803

☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎

DW-5750E NSRI Winter 2018 FLH.pdf

1

2018/06/28

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D W - 5 7 5 0 E-1B

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CM

MY

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D W-5750E-1B D W-9052 GBX-1A 4-1B • • • •

D W - 5 7 5 0 E-1B R1,7 9 9

Shock resistant 200m water resistance 1/100-second stopwatch Countdown timer

D W - 9 0 5 2 G B X-1A 4 R1, 4 9 9

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