Robert van Heldsingen, NSRI Wilderness station commander, said:At 12h17, Saturday, 01 October, NSRI Wilderness duty crew were activated following a request for assistance from Oudtshoorn Police Academy members reporting one of their members missing in the sea at the Oubaai Golf Resort near to Herolds Bay (between Wilderness and Mossel Bay on the Southern Cape Coastline).The Sea Rescue craft Oscars Rescue was towed to the scene and launched and an NSRI rescue vehicle, NSRI rescue swimmers, WC Government Health EMS, ER24 ambulance services and the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter responded.On arrival on the scene an extensive sea, air and shoreline search commenced for a 29 year old male, believed to be from Gauteng and believed to be a member of the SA Police Services Academy, Oudtshoorn.It is believed that a group of men were on rocks on the shoreline below the Oubaai Golf Resort when the man was swept off rocks by a wave.According to reports a friend went into the surf to try to rescue him and the friend managed to get safely back to the shore after losing sight of the victim.Despite an extensive search no sign of the missing man has been found.A Police dive unit have been activated to continue an ongoing search effort.A Spring Tide peaks on the New Moon today on the 1st of October and the effects of this Spring Tide on the coastline will last for the next few days.Spring Tide happens twice every month, at Full Moon and at New Moon, and lasts for a few days over each full moon and each new moon and peaking on the day of the full moon and the new moon.Spring Tides bring a higher than normal high tide and a lower than normal low tide and stronger than normal rip currents.It is suspected that the New Moon Spring Tide and large sea swells in the area of the Southern Cape Coastline today may have contributed to the incident happening today.The public, anglers, bathers, beach strollers, boaters and paddlers are advised to exercise caution around the coastline and to be aware of rough sea conditions and the Spring Tide phenomenon and its affect on the coastline. TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE
Pic source: www.surf-forecast.com
