DURBAN: Hymie Miya, NSRI Durban duty controller, said: 'At 16h39, Friday, 07th August, NSRI Durban duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) reporting a Hobie-Cat appearing to be in difficulty off-shore near to Vetchies Beach, Durban.“It was then reported that a second Hobie-Cat was in difficulty.“We launched our sea rescue craft SPIRIT OF SVITZER and on arrival on-scene, in a brisk 10 to 15 knot Westerly wind, we found two Hobie-Cat’s, one capsized and one dismasted.'It was confirmed that after the one Hobie-Cat dismasted, with one man onboard, a fellow sailor aboard another Hobie-Cat purposely capsized his Hobie-Cat to go to the assistance of the sailor on the dismasted Hobie-Cat.'The two men, experienced sailors, had the situation under control and all that was required was a tow to shore (of the dismasted Hobie-Cat).'A tow-line was rigged and the Hobie-Cat was towed to shore safely without incident and the second sailor righted his own Hobie-Cat which he sailed ashore and no further assistance was required.”
PORT EDWARD:John Nicholas, NSRI Port Edward station commander, said: 'At 16h20, Friday, 07th August, NSRI Port Edward duty crew were activated following eye-witness reports of a teenage girl being swept out to sea at Silver Beach, Port Edward.'We launched our DISCOVERY rescue runner and on arrival on-scene a 17 year old young woman from the Eastern Cape was found struggling in a rip-current and being swept out to sea.'The teenager was rescued onto the DISCOVERY rescue runner and brought to shore where NSRI medics treated the teenager for near drowning symptoms and she was stabilised.'A Netcare 911 ambulance was summoned and the girl has been transported to hospital in a stable condition by Netcare 911 for further treatment and for observation for secondary drowning.'She had been at the beach with family and was swimming when she was caught by a rip-current and swept out to sea.
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