CEO Speech at AGM 2015

CEO, Dr Cleeve Robertson with guest of honour, Mrs Eleanor Simpson, who presented the Alric Simpson Trophy. She is joined by her two sons. Picture Andrew Ingram17^th August 2015Mr Chairman, Directors of the NSRI, Honorary Life Governors, Operational Board Members, recipients of tonight's awards, Volunteer Members, Corporate Members and Partners, Ladies and Gentlemen.Before I start I want to thank:

• Marie Brink, Chairman of Village and Life, for the wonderful venue
• Hennie Heymans MD of DHL for sponsoring the Integrated Report and for your continue support as a Platinum Partner
• Holly and Simon of Sumaridge for partnering our dinner with some fine Epitome and Maritimus wine and for their amazing support for Hermanus
• Simply AV for the sound.
• Danie Smit GM of Protea Hotel Victoria Junction for hosting our out of town guests.

Thank you to you and the many, many NSRI supporters that make our service possible.The NSRI is an organisation of some 70 000 individual and 2 000 corporate members inspired by the activities of just over a thousand volunteers from 35 small boat stations along our 3 000km coastline and our WaterWise Educators in 4 Provinces who set out daily to pursue our Mission of ‘Saving Lives on South African Waters’ consciously impacting on millions of South Africans and bravely representing a country hungry for recognition as a Maritime Nation.Our volunteers are a true inspiration and we have the privilege of doing amazing deeds, like the rescue of a kite flyer at Camps Bay under austere conditions, the rescue of turtles off the beaches of Struisbaai or the release of a Whale off Cape Point and the Medevac of a sick crewman off a tanker off Port Elizabeth.The awards tonight reflect all the elements of diversity, courage, commitment, compassion, dedication, passion and professionalism that these incidents involve. Tonight is about you, a celebration of who you are and what you do!