John Costello, NSRI Port St Johns station commander, said:'At 14h30 (Friday, 19th July) NSRI Port St Johns volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following a request for assistance from a local couple, Simon Smeering and Maryke Meiring, both aged in their late 20's, reporting to have motor failure on their jet-ski, 1.5 nautical miles South of Port St Johns and 1 nautical mile off-shore.'The couple had informed local dive charter company Off-Shore Africa of their launch time, their planned route and their estimated return time and they had regularly kept the dive charter company updated with their position and progress during their recreational jet-ski trip.'The dive charter company acted as their responsible guardians during their trip.'They were both wearing life-jackets and had all of the necessary safety equipment.'When their motor failed they raised the alarm and both our sea rescue boat FREEMASONS WAY and an Off-Shore Africa Dive Charter boat, which was in the vicinity at the time, responded to assist.'The task of locating them was made very easy based on the regular updated information that they had supplied to the Dive Charter company during their trip.'On our arrival on-scene the dive charter boat was already in attendance and they had the female onboard their boat while the male was sitting on his jet-ski and holding onto the side of the dive charter boat. They were both safe and out of harms way.'We took the jet-ski under tow and on arrival at second beach Simon Smeering swam his jet-ski ashore and his girlfriend was taken safely ashore.'No further assistance was required.'We must commend the couple for having an excellent presence of safety surrounding their jet-ski trip.'
Freemason's way.
