Farewell Coralie

It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to Coralie Wynsome McDonald.She was a loved volunteer and colleague for the past 14 years, firstly as a Sea Rescue crewman at NSRI Station 2 Bakoven and later as a member of the NSRI Head Office staff.In 2013 Coralie received a Directors' Thanks Award for her involvement in the rescue of 12 fishermen from the trawler Claremont that ran aground on Robben Island during a vicious storm on 13 August 2013.She also received a CEO Letter of Appreciation Award for her service to Sea Rescue in 2018.A Letter of Appreciation is presented to Coralie Wynsome McDonaldCoralie, it gives me great pleasure to record the NSRI board’s appreciation for your efforts over the past 14 years, firstly as a Sea Rescue crewman and latterly as a member of the NSRI Head Office staff.You joined Station 2, Bakoven, on 01 December 2004, at the age of 29 and immediately threw yourself into the task of becoming a very well trained crew member, obtaining your Marine Radio licence and qualifying in Fire fighting, First Aid Level III, Coastal Navigation,Outboard Motors and Surf Launching.You accumulated 326 sea hours on Stn 2’s Class III rescue boat, rising to be a deputy Cox’n in short order and were in training to be a Cox’n when ill-health forced you to stand down as active crew in February 2015.Nevertheless you stayed on at Bakoven as shore crew for a further year.Meanwhile, on 01 May 2014 you came to work at the NSRI Head Office in the newly created position of Procurement Officer. This function is a most important component of any comprehensive management system, ensuring that everything needed to keep the organization running smoothly is available at the right time, in the right place and at the right price. With your advanced knowledge of the Excel program and a UCT Supply Chain Management Course to hone your skills you have developed a most effective computerized procurement system. Coupled with your infectious sunny nature and inherent administration abilities you have become a vitally important member of the NSRI Head Office team.Thank you for exhibiting a passion over so many years for helping others through involvement in the work of the NSRI, despite serious personal obstacles to achieving this aim. Coralie received a standing ovation from Station Commanders, crew and staff for her service to Sea Rescue at the Station Commander's conference in June 2018. Picture Andrew Ingram / Sea RescueThe sound of the jingle bells up and down the stairs will be no more; but your zest for life, your sunny personality, your fighting spirit and your love for Sea Rescue will live in our hearts forever more.Coralie will be sorely missed by all her Sea Rescue family. May she rest in eternal peace.