Three women swept out to sea and an ill patient evacuated off Chokka boat

Image: sa.travel-directory.co.zaKLEINMOND:At 12h31, Thursday, 15th October, NSRI Hermanus were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following reports from eye-witness Paul Richards, owner of the Kleinmond restaurant Sundown Blues reporting three women being swept out to sea by rip currents at Kleinmond beach.NSRI Hermanus station commander Deon Langenhoven happened to be in Kleinmond at the time and responded while the NSRI Hermanus duty crew responded towing a sea rescue craft and the WC Government Health EMS, Overberg Fire and Rescue Services and the SA Police Services responded.Restaurant owner Paul Richards ran to the beach, by that stage the 3 women were already at least 200 meters out to sea and he gestured and shouted to them to swim across the beach front.With local knowledge of the rip currents pattern in the area he indicated to them which way to swim to get free of the rip current.They heeded his instructions and all 3 women, a 56 year old South African and a 19 year old and a 18 year old from Botswana, were able to get back to the beach safely without assistance.Paramedics medically checked on the 3 women and although tired and shocked they required no medical treatment.Paul Richards is commended for his swift actions.We believe they were caught in the New Moon Spring Tide rip currents while swimming causing them to be swept out to sea.The New Moon Spring Tide peaked on the 13th October and strong rip currents will be experienced around the coast until after the coming weekend.ST FRANCIS BAY:NSRI St Francis Bay launched the sea rescue craft SPIRIT OF ST FRANCIS II at 14h00, Thursday, 15th October, following a request for assistance from the Chokka fishing boat LEMARSH reporting a 56 year old Port Elizabeth crewman onboard fallen unconscious from unknown causes.On arrival on the scene, a nautical mile from the Port of St Francis, the ill crewman was found to have regained consciousness and he was transferred onto the sea rescue craft and brought safely ashore and a Private Care ambulance has transported him to hospital in a stable condition.TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONESMS 32287 with your name and a message of support for our Sea Rescue crew