Rotary Wine Auctions in October

The NSRI and Rotary have enjoyed a long and fruitful friendship through the years. The assistance of Rotary Clubs throughout South Africa, and internationally, has enabled the NSRI to fulfill a number of needs within various rescue bases. One annual project in particular, the Rotary Wine Auction, stands out as having made one of the greatest contributions towards the Institute. This event has traditionally been hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Table Bay and Newlands with the Rotary Club of Knights Pendragon recently coming on board to host the 2010 Parallel Wine Auction in Gauteng.The Rotary Wine Auction has been raising funds for worthy causes for 15 years, with almost all of the auctions nominating Sea Rescue as a sole beneficiary. The most recent Wine Auctions took place in October 2010 where a new 6.5 metre rescue craft was launched for the NSRI Melkbos Rescue Base.Past projects funded by Rotary Wine Auction proceeds have included the following:1998: the auction amount was split between NSRI projects and DP Marais SANTA Centre1999: an Operations / Communications Centre for the Bakoven Rescue Base2000: a 4x4 rescue vehicle for the Simon’s Town NSRI and refurbishment of the old Simonstown vehicle redeployed to Kommetjie2001: the re-engining of the Table Bay 12m rescue craft ‘Spirit of Safmarine II’2003: a 4x4 rescue vehicle for Strandfontein NSRI2004 and 2005: a 5.5 metre rescue craft for Table Bay NSRI2006: a 5.5 metre rescue craft for Kommetjie NSRI2007: educational material for the NSRI’s WaterWise initiative2008: a 7.3 metre rescue boat for Yzerfontein NSRI2009 and 2010: a 6.5 metre rescue craft for Melkbos NSRI The Rotary / Sea Rescue relationship, over and above the Rotary Wine Auction, has resulted in the sponsorship of a number NSRI vessels and vehicles. For one, 'Spirit of Rotary' ( a 11.9 metre all - weather rescue craft) was donated to the NSRI Hout Bay base by Rotary District 235. She was built in Cape Town in 1979 and in 1994 she underwent a major refit which streamlined her operational functions. The Bakoven base launched their 5.79 metre rescue craft 'Spirit of Rotary Table Bay' in 1997 thanks to Rotary's assistance, and the Table Bay Rescue Station has had a 4X4 rescue mobile partly sponsored by the Table Bay Rotary Club. A 5.5 metre Rigid Inflatable 'Spirit of Rotary Blouberg' was put into service in June 2001. It should also be mentioned that the Saldanha Bay station gained a 8 metre rescue craft 'Spirit of Rotary II', but this vessel has since been decommissioned.The tradition continues and planning for the 2011 Wine Auction is well underway, the project this year is a 6.5 metre rescue craft for the Bakoven NSRI Base. We have two Auctions planned; one in Cape Town on the 6^th October (hosted by the Rotary Club of Newlands and Table Bay) and a second in Gauteng on the 26^th October (hosted by the Rotary Club of Knights Pendragon).To reserve a table at the Auction or for further information, please contact Krista Lazzari on 021-434 4011 or kristal@searescue.org.za