At 07h45 Station 20 Shelly Beach recieved a call from a member of the public who said that he had lost his boat and asked for assistance. After some questioning it turned out to be a radio controlled boat is used when fishing from shore to take the bait out. After dropping the bait, on turning, both the fishing line and the line to the reel was cut.The Shelly beach crew decided to use the opportunity as a search and rescue exercise and CALTEX CHALLENGER II was launched. The small craft was found and recovered off Port Shepstone. The owner made a donation to cover the cost of the operation.As the crew were washing CALTEX CHALLENGER II and equipment they noticed a 4.8 RIB launching and kept an eye on her as she went through the surf. The skipper turned the vessel to do a turn in the bay and was picked up by a wave from behind which capsized the craft. All four passengers on board were unharmed and the little RIB was righted and brought ashore for the owner.Pictures are available on
Sea Rescue's Flickr page.
Jeremiah Jackson, Ruahn Beattie and Pieter Venter with the radio controlled boat.

Shelly Beach crew right the RIB.


The Shelly Beach crew.