Tritons for Sea Rescue

Land support is crucial for a successful sea rescue operation and there are multiple ways in which the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in the Eastern Cape will benefit from their two recently donated Mitsubishi Triton bakkies. MBSA’s vice president of manufacturing at the East London plant, Rainer Ruess said Mitsubishi Motors were delighted to hand over the Tritons to the East London and Port Alfred stations of the NSRI.“Mitsubishi Motors is pleased to partner with the NSRI which we view as a professional organisation, well managed and supported by many volunteers who devote many personal hours throughout the year and are dedicated to save lives around South Africa’s coastline. “The NSRI’s current fleet of Mitsubishi Colt bakkies have given reliable and safe service. They have already proven their mettle in the harshest of off-road situations, and now, the latest generation of the Mitsubishi bakkie, the Triton, will also be put to good use. The rescue crews, who access remote areas, which are characterised by sand dunes, challenging topography and unchartered river mouths, will not be hindered by these challenges in the Tritons. The power and torque of our Tritons are excellent for the transporting and launching of boats in these extreme conditions,” Ruess said.NSRI CEO, Ian Wienburg said the bakkies are invaluable for launching smaller rescue craft closer to the rescue site. The Tritons will also play a crucial role in maintaining communications by being able to access ‘coms’ in remote areas. “The double cab Tritons will also enable a greater number of crew members to be transported to the rescue site, which will aid rescue efficiency,” Wienburg said.East London station commander, Geoff McGregor has been volunteering at the NSRI for 25 years and has many sea rescue stories to tell. McGregor related some of these to the audience and commented that it is in these possible life and death situations that the Mitsubishi Tritons will provide the necessary land support. There are multiple ways in which the NSRI in the Eastern Cape will benefit from their two recently donated Triton bakkies.“The NSRI in South Africa and Mitsubishi Motors have been successful partners for a number of years and we are pleased to see this relationship grow even further. As a corporate, we are delighted to support this committed team of volunteers, who are doing their utmost to make the shorelines of South Africa even safer,” says Suraiya Naidoo, Divisional Manager, Mitsubishi Motors.STORY BY MITSUBISHI