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NSRI JetRIB Janine Named and Blessed at Yzerfontein

Yzerfontein gets a new JetRib featuring Janine Winder

NSRI JetRIB Janine Named and Blessed at Yzerfontein


NSRI JetRIB Janine Named and Blessed at Yzerfontein: The NSRI’s newest JetRIB (an inshore rescue vessel) Janine, sponsored by the Western Cape Disaster Management Centre (WCDMC), was blessed and named during a traditional ceremony on Saturday, 29 March 2025, at the NSRI’s Yzerfontein Sea Rescue station.
The vessel, which will operate from Station 34 Yzerfontein, marks the sixth JetRIB donated to the NSRI by the Western Cape Disaster Management Centre (WCDMC). All six vessels have been named in honour of women working at the WCDMC. This JetRIB is named after Janine Winder, Deputy Director: Mitigation.
Since 2015, the WCDMC has generously supported the NSRI by sponsoring rescue equipment, training, an all-terrain vehicle, and various water safety initiatives.
The NSRI JetRIB is a cutting-edge inshore rescue vessel, resulting from a collaboration between the NSRI and Droomers Yamaha in 2019. With its water-jet propulsion, the JetRIB is more environmentally friendly than traditional two-stroke outboard engines. Its design eliminates the risk of propeller strikes, making it safer for both casualties and rescue swimmers.
The JetRIB won the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) award for Innovation and Technology in 2021 and has garnered international attention, with interest from countries as far afield as Norway, Iceland, and Ascension Island. It has proven instrumental in many recent rescue operations, including during the KwaZulu-Natal and Overberg floods.
According to NSRI Rescue Services Director Brett Ayres, each JetRIB — including its road trailer, rescue gear, and personal protective equipment for the crew — costs approximately R697,000. Thanks to continued donations, 42 NSRI stations are already equipped with a JetRIB, with two more planned for Nature’s Valley (a satellite station of Station 14, Plettenberg Bay) and Gariep Dam.
NSRI CEO, Mike Vonk, expressed gratitude for the latest addition:
“The NSRI would like to thank the WCDMC for their generous sponsorship of the new JetRIB Janine, which will be stationed at Station 34 Yzerfontein, and for their ongoing support.”
“Rescue is all about teamwork, and we are grateful to have partners like the WCDMC who always go the extra mile,” he added.
Assistant Director of Preparedness and Response Sharon Marthinus said, “As the Western Cape Disaster Management Centre, we recognise the invaluable role that the NSRI play in safeguarding the lives of those who venture into our waters.”

“Your commitment to search and rescue operations, often in the most challenging and dangerous conditions, is nothing short of remarkable.”

“As partners in disaster management, we are privileged to work alongside you, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration to further enhance our collective capabilities in responding to emergencies,” she added.
Photographs of the ceremony can be downloaded from the NSRI’s Flickr page. https://www.flickr.com/photos/searescue/albums/72157625451651624/
Issued by:
For interviews or information, please get in touch with NSRI Communications Manager Andrew Ingram at andrewi@searescue.org.za or on 082 990 5977

ABOUT THE NSRI

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is a registered non-profit organisation that is committed to drowning prevention and focused on saving lives, changing lives and creating futures for those threatened by drowning in South Africa.

The NSRI is unique in South Africa as the only non-profit organisation focusing exclusively on safeguarding lives and livelihoods in South African waters through education, prevention, and rescue operations. We envision a nation where drowning incidents are minimised, ensuring the safety of all.

The NSRI strives to innovate and evolve constantly and extend its water safety initiatives through empowerment and visibility. Our volunteers are on call 24/7 and rely on donations and sponsorships.

Please visit www.nsri.org.za for more information.

NSRI EMERGENCY: 087 094 9774

Sardines and Sightings

Check out our annual Sardine Run Map! Download our app to your phone or device, accept notifications, and you will never miss a single sardine.

Here are the links to existing and past  Sardine Sighting Maps…

2025 Sardine Map

2024 Sardine Map

2023 Sardine Map

2022 Sardine Map

2021 Sardine Map

Channels

Brucifire Surf Retorts – highly entertaining  surf reporting

Master Watermen – news from way down deep

The Sardine News – neva miss a single  sardine

FishBazaruto – 1000 pounds plus

MYDO Tackle Talk – highly technical  sport fishing

Surf Launching Southern Africa – getting out there safely

Water Woes – complain about your municipality

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NSRI News #searescue

NSRI News

NSRI News #searescue

NSRI News: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NSRI – STATION 5, Durban. STATION 9, Gordons Bay. STATION 42, Kleinmond. STATION 10, Simonstown. STATION 6, Gqeberha.

NSRI – National – Saturday, 15 March. A medical evacuation operation and preparedness for flooding – Durban. A paddler rescued – Pringle Bay. A paddler rescued – Simonstown. A medical evacuation off a ship – Gqeberha:

NSRI News DURBAN:

Jacques Kruger, NSRI Durban duty coxswain, said:

On Thursday, 13 March, NSRI Durban duty crew were alerted by MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) to prepare for a medical evacuation of a patient, a female age 71, suffering a medical condition onboard a cruise liner, due to arrive offshore of the Port of Durban on Friday.

On Friday, at midday, NSRI Durban duty crew and Red Line ambulance services convened at the NSRI Durban station 5 rescue base where the NSRI rescue craft Alick Rennie was launched.

We rendezvoused with the vessel offshore of the Port of Durban.

Our NSRI MEX (Maritime Extrication) crew and a Red Line rescue paramedic were transferred onto the vessel.

The patient, in the care of the ships medical staff, was found to be in a stable condition and it was decided to let the ship enter the Port of Durban where the patient could be taken into the care of Red Line paramedics once berthed in Port.

No further assistance was required and later the ship entered the Port of Durban and the patient was transported to hospital by Red Line ambulance for further medical treatment where the patient is recovering.

NSRI Durban duty controllers, NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Port of Durban Port Control, Port Health Authorities, A WC Government Health EMS duty doctor, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, Red Line ambulance services and Police Sea Borderline Control, assisted MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre), in the logistics and coordination of this operation.

On Thursday evening, 12 March, NSRI Durban and NSRI Umhlanga joined the Police and the emergency services preparing for the heavy rainfall that was forecast (on Tuesday night) by SAWS (South African Weather services) with heavy rainfalls anticipated for Thursday night.

A JOCC (Joint Operations Command Centre), established by DRM (Disaster Risk Management) and local Municipal authorities, coordinated emergency response activations to emergency incidents during Thursday nights heavy downpour.

NSRI rescue swimmers and NSRI crew, based in their communities, prepared to assist locally while NSRI rescue swimmers and NSRI crew stood by at the NSRI Durban station 5 rescue base prepared to respond to emergencies in cooperation with Police and the emergency services.

NSRI are aware of a number of incidents that were attended to by response teams but NSRI are not aware of any fatalities or serious injuries.

NSRI commend the vast community preparedness and support, and the cooperation between the emergency services, during the heavy rainfall.

By around 01h00 on Friday morning the worst of the heavy rainfalls subsided and NSRI crew returned to their homes.

We are appealing to the public to not cross over low lying bridges compromised by flood waters and do not try to cross through flooded motorways or rivers under flooding conditions during heavy rainfall and flash flooding.

NSRI News PRINGLE BAY:

Roan Strydom, NSRI Gordons Bay duty coxswain, said:

At 12h48, Wednesday, 12 March, NSRI Kleinmond and NSRI Gordons Bay duty crews were alerted following a call from an NSRI coast watcher at Pringle Bay reporting to be witnessing a paddler appearing to be in distress offshore of Pringle Bay.

Within minutes additional multiple phone calls raising the alarm were being received by NSRI reporting the man to be struggling on a paddle craft offshore of Pringle Bay and being blown further out to sea and now in obvious distress.

NSRI Kleinmond duty crew responded to the NSRI Kleinmond station 42 rescue base where they dispatched their NSRI rescue vehicle, accompanied by NSRI rescue swimmers, while NSRI Gordons Bay duty crew responded to our NSRI Gordons Bay station 9 rescue base where we dispatched our NSRI rescue vehicle, accompanied by NSRI rescue swimmers, and our NSRI rescue craft, Spirit of Surfski 5, was launched.

NSRI Kleinmond and NSRI Gordons Bay rescue vehicles arrived at the NSRI coast watchers house, in Pringle Bay, where NSRI crew observed visuals of the paddler in distress.

The NSRI craft approaching offshore of Pringle Bay from the Gordons Bay side were directed towards the casualty and within minutes of arriving in the area, in 30 knot gusting winds, the man was located and rescued onto the rescue craft.

Treatment for hypothermia to the German male tourist was commenced.

The casualties paddle craft was recovered.

Initially the plan was to take him ashore at Pringle Bay but we opted to keep him in the care of our NSRI medics onboard our rescue boat and reassess his medical condition at our NSRI rescue base.

We brought him to our NSRI rescue base at Gordons Bay harbour where following medical treatment, in good condition and in good spirits, the man was released from our care and collected by a friend.

NSRI are appealing to boaters, paddlers and sailors to download and use the free NSRI SafeTrx smart phone application – www.nsri.org.za SAFETRX.

The NSRI coast watchers are commended for their assistance in this incident – their vigilance contributed to saving the life of the man.

NSRI News SIMONSTOWN:

Sharon Crowther, NSRI Simonstown duty coxswain, said:

At 17h33, Tuesday, 11 March, NSRI Simonstown duty crew were activated following an NSRI SafeTrx emergency alert intercepted by NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), from a man visiting South Africa from Dubai, in distress on a surf-ski North of Roman Rock Lighthouse, False Bay.

A local Good Samaritan paddler, on a surf-ski, taking part in the same downwind paddle, from Millers Point to Fish Hoek, also activated his NSRI SafeTrx emergency alert, which was also intercepted by NSRI EOC, reporting that he had come across the casualty paddler and reporting that the casualty paddler was in distress and in the water after capsizing and that the casualty had been separated from his surf-ski North of Roman Rock Lighthouse.

The NSRI SafeTrx position showed the casualty to be drifting in the direction of the Glen Beach quarry area.

The local Good Samaritan surf-skier had tried to catch up to the drifting casualties surf-ski, in attempts to return the craft to the casualty man who was drifting in the water, but with the attempts being unsuccessful in the strong winds, after activating his NSRI SafeTrx emergency to also raise the alarm, he was forced to continue on the down wind paddle for his own safety.

Our NSRI Simonstown duty crew responded to our NSRI Simonstown station 10 rescue base while NSRI Simonstown rescue swimmers and CMR (Cape Medical Response) responded to Whale Watchers at Glencairn.

By that stage the local Good Samaritan paddler, who had utilised his NSRI SafeTrx emergency alert, had been forced to continue on paddling for his own safety.

A second Good Samaritan paddler who had also come across the casualty man drifting in the water had tried to assist, but in the heavy sea conditions he was also forced to continue on the down wind paddle for his own safety. He had also activated his NSRI SafeTrx emergency alert to raise the alarm.

The 2 Good Samaritan paddlers are commended for their efforts in trying conditions.

The casualty man remained adrift in the water continuing to display a SafeTrx emergency position that was being monitored by NSRI EOC and by NSRI Simonstown duty controllers.

NSRI coast watchers in the area were alerted to get visuals of the casualty. It was a race against time in the fading light.

The NSRI Simonstown rescue craft Donna Nicholas was launched – also displaying the NSRI SafeTrx position of the casualty on the rescue craft onboard console.

NSRI rescue swimmers and CMR paramedics, arriving at Glencairn, obtained visuals of the casualty adrift in the water offshore of Glencairn.

Concerns were that the man may run aground on the rocky shoreline on the Fish Hoek side of Glencairn.

NSRI rescue swimmers prepared to enter the water to assist while the NSRI rescue craft responded towards the scene.

On the NSRI rescue craft arriving on the scene the casualty man was rescued onto the rescue craft where medical treatment for hypothermia commenced.

A CMR ambulance was dispatched to the NSRI Simonstown rescue base.

The patient was brought safely to the NSRI Simonstown rescue base where CMR paramedics continued with medical treatment for hypothermia.

NSRI Simonstown were then called by the CoCT (City of Cape Town) Fish Hoek lifeguards, at Fish Hoek Lifesaving Club, reporting that the casualty surf-ski had run aground on Fish Hoek Beach and the lifeguards had recovered the craft from shallow surf.

Following medical treatment and rewarming the man, in good condition and good spirits, was released and collected at our NSRI Simonstown rescue base by friends and they collected his surfski at Fish Hoek Life Saving Club.

NSRI reiterates the value of the free NSRI SafeTrx smart phone application that contributed to saving the life of the man in this successful rescue operation.

NSRI are appealing to paddlers, boaters and sailors, to download and always use the free NSRI SafeTrx smartphone application (available on our web page www.nsri.org.za) when launching into water.

GQEBERHA:

Kevin Warren, NSRI Gqeberha duty coxswain, said:

On Saturday, 8 March, at 05h22, NSRI Gqeberha duty crew launched the NSRI Gqeberha rescue craft Rescue 6, accompanied by an EC Government Health EMS rescue paramedic, and rendezvoused with a bulk carrier motor vessel offshore of the Port of Port Elizabeth, in Algoa Bay, to medically evacuate a 31 year old Chinese seaman suffering a medical complaint.

On arrival at the vessel an NSRI MEX (Maritime Extrication) crewman was transferred onto the motor vessel and the patient, in a stable condition, walking wounded, was transferred onto our rescue craft and brought safely to our NSRI Gqeberha station 6 rescue base in the care of the EMS rescue paramedic.

The patient was transported to hospital in a stable condition by EMS ambulance for further medical care.

NSRI Gqeberha duty controllers, NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Port of Port Elizabeth Port Control, Port Health Authorities, A WC Government Health EMS duty doctor, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, EC Government Health EMS Metro Control and Police Sea Borderline Control, assisted MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre), in the logistics and coordination of this medical evacuation operation.

-ENDS-

About the NSRI:
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is a registered non-profit organisation that is committed to drowning prevention and focused on saving lives, changing lives and creating futures for those threatened by drowning in South Africa.
We are unique in South Africa as the only non-profit organisation focusing exclusively on safeguarding lives and livelihoods in South African waters through education, prevention, and rescue operations. We envision a nation where drowning incidents are minimised, ensuring the safety of all.
The NSRI strives to innovate, constantly evolve, and extend our water safety initiatives through empowerment and visibility. Our volunteers are on call 24/7 and are reliant on donations and sponsorships.

Please visit www.nsri.org.za for more information and NSRI News.
NSRI EMERGENCY: 087 094 9774

RELEASED BY

Craig Lambinon
NSRI COMMUNICATIONS

Email: communications@searescue.org.za | Cell: +27 (0) 82 380 3800 | nsri.org.za

Thats all the NSRI News that we have for you. To get more NSRI News, install the Sardine News App and allow notifications.

Sardines and Sightings

Check out our annual Sardine Run Map! Download our app to your phone or device, accept notifications, and you will never miss a single sardine.

Here are the links to existing and past  Sardine Sighting Maps…

2025 Sardine Map

2024 Sardine Map

2023 Sardine Map

2022 Sardine Map

2021 Sardine Map

Channels

Brucifire Surf Retorts – highly entertaining  surf reporting

Master Watermen – news from way down deep

The Sardine News – neva miss a single  sardine

FishBazaruto – 1000 pounds plus

MYDO Tackle Talk – highly technical  sport fishing

Surf Launching Southern Africa – getting out there safely

Water Woes – complain about your municipality

Share
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Sail Boat rescued at Santos Beach in Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay

Sail Boat rescued at Santos Beach in Mossel Bay

Sail Boat rescued at Santos Beach in Mossel Bay: that Dikeledi whipped up some serious east winds for us to contend with. Here in KZN it shoved moisture-rich air onto the land, fully charged from the cyclone, dumping buckets of rain about the place.

Down in that unruly ocean in the south, it came blasting through at 30 knots plus. Unrelenting in its will to flatten anything and everything. Including this sailing yacht, that survived once again due to the efficiencies and commitment by the NSRI contingent.

Over to Craig…

NSRI – Mossel Bay –Tuesday, 21 January. A foreign sailing yacht that drifted ashore has been recovered:

Yacht at Santos Beach in Mossel Bay runs Aground 21 Jan 25
Yacht at Santos Beach in Mossel Bay runs Aground 21 Jan 25

A Finnish couple have been assisted after their sailing yacht drifted ashore in the early hours of Tuesday morning at Santos Beach, Mossel Bay.

Andre Fraser, NSRI Mossel Bay duty coxswain, said:

At 08h16, Tuesday, 21 January, NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew were activated by TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Mossel Bay Port Control, and Police Sea Borderline Control, reporting a sailing yacht that had drifted ashore at Santos Beach, Mossel Bay.

The high tide had just turned, high tide in Mossel Bay on Tuesday was 08h02.

The NSRI Mossel Bay rescue craft Spirit of Safmarine III was launched while NSRI rescue swimmers responded to the shore side in an NSRI rescue vehicle.

Mossel Bay Fire and Rescue Services, the SA Police Services, Police Sea Borderline Control and TNPA members responded.

The TNPA harbour tug boat Arctic Tern was placed on alert by Mossel Bay Port Control.

On arrival on the scene we joined an inflatable boat, The Blue Duck, of The Skippers Foundation of Mossel Bay, that was in attendance – that assisted NSRI during the operation.

NSRI rescue swimmers boarded the craft to assist the yacht crew, a husband and wife, from Finland.

It appears that the couple are sailing around South Africa, we believe that their previous Port of call was Richards Bay, and they were at moorings (at the swing moorings) offshore of Santos beach where, we suspect, during the early hours of the morning, in 3 meter sea swells, their sailing yacht may have broken her moorings and had drifted onto the beach.

The Skippers Foundation of Mossel Bay inflatable boat assisted to transfer a towline from our rescue craft Spirit of Safmarine III where NSRI rescue swimmers, in cooperation with the yacht skipper, established a towline.

Timing the sea swells that were washing ashore in the outgoing tide, and using our rescue craft, we were able to pull and turn the casualty sailing yacht, that was initially lying side on – abeam – on the beach, to bow to the sea, and then attempts were made to pull her (the sailing yacht) gently off the beach in the shallow water, but attempts were not successful.

Later, we were joined by the TNPA harbour tug Arctic Tern – the towline was transferred to the Arctic Tern and they were able to pull (tow) the sailing yacht out to sea.

NSRI Mossel Bay rescue crew remained onboard, with the 2 sailing yacht crew, throughout the operation.

Her anchor, still deployed, that was dragging – while being towed further out to sea – was recovered manually once they reached deeper waters.

Arctic Tern towed the casualty sailing yacht into Mossel Bay harbour where, once inside the harbour, we rafted our NSRI rescue craft alongside the casualty sailing yacht and then safely moored her at the Vincent Jetty, at around 11h15, and no further assistance was required.

-ENDS-

About the NSRI:
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is a registered non-profit organisation that is committed to drowning prevention and focused on saving lives, changing lives and creating futures for those threatened by drowning in South Africa.
We are unique in South Africa as the only non-profit organisation focusing exclusively on safeguarding lives and livelihoods in South African waters through education, prevention, and rescue operations. We envision a nation where drowning incidents are minimised, ensuring the safety of all.
The NSRI strives to innovate, constantly evolve, and extend our water safety initiatives through empowerment and visibility. Our volunteers are on call 24/7 and are reliant on donations and sponsorships.

Please visit www.nsri.org.za for more information.
NSRI EMERGENCY: 087 094 9774

RELEASED BY

Craig Lambinon
NSRI COMMUNICATIONS

Email: communications@searescue.org.za | Cell: +27 (0) 82 380 3800 | nsri.org.za

Sardines and Sighting Maps

We have started the 2025 Sardine Run Map! And it already has some sardine action logged!

2024 was a thrilling year for sardines. All the action has been logged right here on The Sardine News. The 2024 map has been viewed 200 000 times and just keeps growing.

Which led us to decide to keep the map live. And keep adding unique marine animal sightings and events. That occurs non-stop all year round. This year we started to log more whale and dolphin sightings. And we even had a shipwreck! And a freaking tornado! And recently a capsized KZNSB boat! We have been updating the map with recent catches too…

These events will from now on be included in the Sardine News Sightings Map for 2024. And on the 1 January 2025, we shall start all over again.

Here are the links to existing and past Sardine Sighting Maps. Great for a windy day like today to research. With instructions to install The Sardine News right on your phone or desktop.

2025 Sardine Map

2024 Sardine Map

2023 Sardine Map

2022 Sardine Map

2021 Sardine Map

Channels

Brucifire Surf Retorts – highly entertaining  surf reporting

Master Watermen – news from way down deep

The Sardine News – neva miss a single  sardine

FishBazaruto – 1000 pounds plus

MYDO Tackle Talk – highly technical  sport fishing

Surf Launching Southern Africa – getting out there safely

Water Woes – complain about your municipality here

Websites

umzimkulu.co.za – self-catering right on the Umzimkulu River
umzimkuluadrenalin.co.za –  will get you right out and onto the edge
thesardine.co.za – never miss a single sardine
masterwatermen.co.za – news from under water
fishbazaruto.com – dreams
brucifire.co.za – surf retorts

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Swim Safe: NSRI Top Ten Safety Tips for this December

NSRI Swim Safe

Swim Safe: NSRI Top Ten Safety Tips for this December: the extraordinarily pro-active NSRI saves lives every single day.

Swim Safe: NSRI Top Ten Safety Tips for this December – The Sardine News and the NSRI are working together we are assisting get these wonderfully considerate communications about being safe in the water.

THE NSRI’S TOP 10 SWIM SAFE TIPS:

  1. Alcohol and swimming or boating.
    Avoid Alcohol and Swimming or boating.
    Swimming or boating after consuming Alcohol puts your life at significant risk.
    When consuming alcohol and supervising children near water, your attention is compromised.
    We do not drink and drive; the same dangers apply to going into water and alcohol.
  2. Supervision of children
    Drowning is silent.
    Parents and caregivers should watch their children in or near water. If they are having difficulty, there will be no splashing or call for help.
    When in the water, an adult should be within arm’s reach of their child.
    It is safest to go into the water and to swim in areas that lifeguards patrol.
    A drowning can occur when you are distracted by social media on your mobile phone or decide to take a call. Be alert.
  3. Dangerous Currents and lifeguarded beaches.
    Going into the water or swimming between lifeguard flags is safest.
    Most people need help to identify dangerous currents or rip currents at beaches. Lifeguards can keep you safe between their flags – so rather go into the water there.
    If you get caught in a current, do not panic; float and swim to the side (out of the current) before trying to swim back to the beach.
    If you see someone who needs help, call a lifeguard or call the NSRI.
    Try throwing something that floats to them.
    You should only go into the water to try to help someone with floatation. A Pink Rescue Buoy or surfboard is a good example of floatation.
  4. Know your emergency numbers
    112 is the general emergency number in South Africa and a free call. If you dial 112, you can ask to be put through to the Police, Ambulance, Fire and Rescue or NSRI/Sea Rescue.
    087 094 9774 is the National Sea Rescue Institute’s Emergency Operations Centre direct line. Any NSRI resource in the country can be activated from this centre.
    Please think about what emergency numbers you may need and save your local emergency numbers in your phone before you need them.
    If you suddenly need an emergency number you have not saved – Google it. (For example, if you Google NSRI or Sea Rescue, you will quickly find the emergency number).
  5. Wear a lifejacket
    NSRI volunteers always wear lifejackets on the water in their rescue boats, as should you. If the NSRI crew can work on their boats and conduct rescue missions wearing lifejackets, you can also get used to wearing them.
    If you unexpectedly land in the water and become too tired or cold, you may no longer be able to stay afloat. A lifejacket will save your life.
    Choose a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) or lifejacket that suits your activity on the water. Ask experts for advice online or in a store.
  6. NSRI SafeTRX
    The RSA SafeTRX App monitors a small craft journey and alerts emergency contacts nominated by the user (family and friends) should they fail to return to shore on time. This free cell phone application enables the user to plot their intended course, store essential emergency numbers that NSRI can use if they fail to return from their trip, give NSRI their location at all times during their trip, provide the user with the ability to call an emergency by the push of a button and giving NSRI your exact position throughout our rescue response if you press the emergency button. It only works where there is a cell phone signal.
    Features include an Emergency Call button, which allows you to make a distress call quickly from the application. The app sends an emergency location update to the NSRI Emergency Operations Centre and your emergency contacts if you have a cell phone connection. Track-only mode can be used to begin tracking at a touch of a button.
  7. Heavy rainfall and flooding (Summer rainfall areas).
    Do not attempt to cross a fast-flowing river on foot or in a car.
    If you need to cross a river in a vehicle that is not flowing fast, walk through using a stick for support and check the depth before driving into the water.
    Fast-flowing rivers are extremely dangerous. Do not attempt to rescue a person trapped in a vehicle or who is being swept away. Call for help.
  8. Learn Survival Swimming
    If you suddenly find yourself out of your depth and can float, you can return to safety.
    NSRI Survival Swimming teaches you to hold your breath, open your eyes in the water (to orient yourself so you know which way to swim), float, and move a short distance through the water.
  9. Learn bystander CPR
    If a person is not breathing, call for help.
    Push hard and fast in the centre of their chest )100 – 120 chest compressions per minute)
    Keep going until professional help arrives, or you are too tired to continue.
  10. When using a boat with an engine, always use a kill switch.
    A Kill switch is a special cord connecting a switch on the throttles to the person driving the boat.
    If that person falls and loses control of a boat, the kill switch is pulled, and the engine stops.
    Never move away from the throttles or remove the kill switch when the engine is in gear.

Swim Safe!

For interviews or information, please get in touch with NSRI Communications Manager Andrew Ingram at andrewi@searescue.org.za or on 082 990 5977

Yesterdays Sardine News features the new installation of a Pink Torpedo Buoy at The Block in Port Shepstone. A notoriously unsafe place to swim…amongst other stories…

Swim safe with the NSRI and The Sardine News…

  • The Sardine News Monthly 31 March 2025

    The Sardine News Monthly 31 March 2025

    The Sardine News Monthly 31 March 2025 The Sardine News Monthly 31 March 2025: what a month March has been. For ducks. And barrels. For the rest of us it has been pure endurance to get through to the blue water. We did have a few clean surfs and some fish were caught and speared…

  • NSRI JetRIB Janine Named and Blessed at Yzerfontein

    NSRI JetRIB Janine Named and Blessed at Yzerfontein

    NSRI JetRIB Janine Named and Blessed at Yzerfontein NSRI JetRIB Janine Named and Blessed at Yzerfontein: The NSRI’s newest JetRIB (an inshore rescue vessel) Janine, sponsored by the Western Cape Disaster Management Centre (WCDMC), was blessed and named during a traditional ceremony on Saturday, 29 March 2025, at the NSRI’s Yzerfontein Sea Rescue station.The vessel,…

  • NSRI News #searescue

    NSRI News #searescue

    NSRI News #searescue NSRI News: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NSRI – STATION 5, Durban. STATION 9, Gordons Bay. STATION 42, Kleinmond. STATION 10, Simonstown. STATION 6, Gqeberha. NSRI – National – Saturday, 15 March. A medical evacuation operation and preparedness for flooding – Durban. A paddler rescued – Pringle Bay. A paddler rescued – Simonstown. A…

Sardines and Sighting Maps

It has been a fantastic sardine run this memorable 2024. And all the action has been logged right here on The Sardine News. This year’s map has been viewed 199,000 times and just keeps growing.

Which led us to decide to keep the map live. And keep adding unique marine animal sightings and events. That occurs non-stop all year round. This year we started to log more whale and dolphin sightings. And we even had a shipwreck! And a freaking tornado! And recently a capsized KZNSB boat! We have been updating the map with recent catches too…

These events will from now on be included in the Sardine News Sightings Map for 2024. And on the 1 January 2025, we shall start all over again.

Here are the links to existing and past Sardine Sighting Maps. Great for a windy day like today to research. With instructions to install The Sardine News right on your phone or desktop.

2024 Sardine Map

2023 Sardine Map

2022 Sardine Map

2021 Sardine Map

Channels

Brucifire Surf Retorts – highly entertaining  surf reporting

Master Watermen – news from way down deep

The Sardine News – neva miss a single  sardine

FishBazaruto – 1000 pounds plus

MYDO Tackle Talk – highly technical  sport fishing

Surf Launching Southern Africa – getting out there safely

Water Woes – complain about your municipality here

Websites

umzimkulu.co.za – self-catering right on the Umzimkulu River
umzimkuluadrenalin.co.za –  will get you right out and onto the edge
thesardine.co.za – never miss a single sardine
masterwatermen.co.za – news from under water
fishbazaruto.com – dreams
brucifire.co.za – surf retorts

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NSRI Issues Stern Warning About Weekend Sea Conditions

NSRI WARNING

NSRI Issues Stern Warning About Pending Sea Conditions

NSRI Issues Stern Warning About Pending Sea Conditions: Craig Lambinon and the NSRI have the following statement and announcement to make.

(0:01) Craig Lambinon, NSRI spokesperson, Wednesday the 22nd of May. (0:06) NSRI National Safety Alert. (0:09) NSRI in cooperation with police, maritime authorities, (0:13) disaster risk management and the emergency services (0:15) are appealing to boaters, sailors, paddlers, bathers, anglers and coastal hikers (0:21) to be aware of a South African Weather Service’s warning (0:25) alerting to rough sea conditions and big waves (0:27) along the West Coast coastline, Western Cape coastline, (0:32) South Cape coastline and potentially extending beyond (0:35) for the next few days and into the coming weekend.
(0:38) We are appealing to public and to the maritime community (0:41) to follow South African Weather Service’s weather alerts. (0:45) The South African Weather Service’s forecast rough sea conditions (0:48) may also be affected by the full moon spring tide (0:51) that peaks on Thursday the 23rd of May, (0:54) bringing the normal daily two high tides and normal daily two low tides (0:58) to be higher than normal at high tide and to be lower than normal at low tide. (1:04) Spring tide may cause stronger than normal rip currents (1:07) and areas that are not normally affected by waves at high tide (1:10) may be engulfed by waves during the spring high tide.
(1:15) Caution is advised and we appeal to public members (1:18) and to the maritime community to have safety top of mind. (1:22) Anglers should note high tide times (1:25) and stay clear from the shoreline during the two daily high tides. (1:30) Anglers should avoid crossing to islands along the coastline (1:33) during the low tide to fish (1:35) as these islands can be cut off from mainland during high tide.
(1:40) Coastal hikers should not try to cross at river miles (1:43) where currents can be particularly strong during the outgoing tide (1:46) and do not try to cross through hiking trails (1:49) that are close to the shoreline during high tide (1:52) where spring high tide can cut off shoreline hiking trails. (1:57) Boaters, sailors and paddlers should wear their life jackets (2:00) while their craft and or their vessels are underway (2:03) and to wear life jackets during rough sea conditions. (2:07) Always have safety equipment at the ready.
(2:11) For enhanced safety, download and use the NSRI’s free SafeTracks smartphone application. (2:17) We emphasize the importance of safety during these conditions. (2:21) Exercise caution and prioritize your safety and the safety of those around you.
(2:28) Let’s keep each other safe.

Affiliated YouTube Channels

https://youtube.com/@Brucifire – entertaining surf reporting

https://youtube.com/@thesardinenews – neva miss out

https://youtube.com/@mydotackletalk – highly technical sport fishing

https://youtube.com/@surflaunchingsouthernafrica – getting out there safely

https://youtube.com/@waterwoes – complain here

Affiliated websites

https://umzimkulu.co.za – self-catering right on the Umzimkulu River
https://umzimkuluadrenalin.co.za – sardine run coming up
https://thesardine.co.za – never miss a single sardine
https://masterwatermen.co.za – news from deep down
https://brucifire.co.za – surf and conditions reporting
https://fishbazaruto.com – your dreams are out there
https://mydofishinglures.co.za – technical sport fishing

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