Jet-skier assisted in Port Alfred and a fatal drowning in Strand:

Image source: District Mail Facebook pageSTRAND: At 15h14, Thursday, 03 March, NSRI Gordons Bay were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following eye-witness reports of a man in difficulty in the surf at Strand Beach.According to reports the man appeared to be swimming alone before disappearing under water.The sea rescue craft Spirit of Surfski was launched, the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter, a sea rescue vehicle, the SA Police Services, ER24 ambulance services, WC Government Health EMS, Law Enforcement Marine Unit and a Police Dive Unit responded.On arrival on the scene an extensive air, sea and shoreline search commenced for a 20 year old Somalian man, from Kuils River, who was missing in the surf.It is suspected that the man may have been caught in rip currents before disappearing under water.During the search an off-duty lifeguard, surfing in the vicinity, discovered the body of the missing man in the surf and he alerted the rescue teams who were nearby.The Police Dive Unit, assisted by NSRI Gordons Bay, recovered the body of the man from the surf and the body has been taken into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services. Family of the deceased man are being assisted by Police trauma counsellors and NSRI and emergency services have expressed Sincere Condolences to the family. Police have opened an inquest docket.PORT ALFRED: At 08h15, Thursday, 03 March, NSRI Port Alfred duty crew were activated following a request for assistance from a man, aged approximately 50 years old, a local, on a jet-ski that had sustained motor mechanical failure 2 nautical miles off-shore. NSRI Port Alfred duty crew launched a sea rescue craft found the man 2 nautical miles off-shore, safe, and requiring a tow to shore and without incident the jet-ski was towed to shore where once safely ashore no further assistance was required.-ENDS- TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE