Teenager rescued at Camps Bay

Coxswain Davide del Fante and his rescue crew Marc de Vos and Daryn Clark on 'Spirit of Day'At 15h58, Thursday, 01 September, NSRI Bakoven and NSRI Table Bay duty crews were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following reports of a male teenager suspected of being swept out to sea on a boogie board at Camps Bay Beach.The teenager, a 15 year old male, launched a body board into big sea conditions at Camps Bay beach at 15h40. The teenagers father was on the beach and he alerted sea rescue fearing that his son may be in difficulty after it appeared that his son was caught in rip currents. The father then reportedly lost sight of his son increasing fears. They are from Camps Bay.Today being the New Moon Spring Tide resulted in a higher than normal high tide, a lower than normal low tide and stronger than normal rip currents being experienced around the coastline (These conditions will continue to be experienced over the next 4 to 5 days). High tide peaked at 15h30 today and rough sea conditions and extremely strong rip currents at the turn of the Spring high tide at Camps Bay Beach coincided with this incident.The Sea Rescue craft Spirit of Day was launched from NSRI Table Bay. NSRI Bakoven crew and an NSRI Table Bay sea rescue vehicle responded directly to Camps Bay Beach.The SA Police Services, Community Medics, Metro Police, WC Government Health EMS, Law Enforcement, Camps Bay Community Safety Initiative tactical unit and Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services responded.Local NSRI volunteer spotters (Camps Bay Watch members) responded and they were instrumental in helping to keep a visual of the teenager. On arrival on the scene rescuers from the shoreline monitored the teenager who could be seen in a rip current and while it appeared that he may not be able to get to shore, in strong rip currents and big sea conditions, the teenager appeared to be calm and it was noted that he is an experienced body boarder and well protected from the elements by a wet-suit.While the Sea Rescue craft was responding to the scene, at times, rescuers on the shoreline lost sight of the teenager behind breakers and in the glare of the afternoon sun.The sea rescue craft Spirit of Day arrived on the scene and the teenager, 200 meters off-shore, was taken onto the sea rescue craft and his body board was recovered.He was brought to the OPBC (Oceana Power Boat Club) aboard the sea rescue craft and EMS paramedics medically checked on the teenager. He was not injured and he was reunited with family. He did not need to go to hospital and no further assistance was required.-ENDS- TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE