Assistance at capsized boat - Umkomaas. Paddler rescued - Hermanus:

Image source: Jace Govender/FacebookUMKOMAAS:Kevin Fourie, NSRI Rocky Bay station commander, said:At 07h12, Sunday, 26th August, NSRI Rocky Bay duty crew were activated following unconfirmed reports of a boat capsized in the Umkhomazi River Mouth.Our NSRI rescue crew and NSRI paramedics responded to the scene to investigate. Police Search and Rescue and NSRI Durban were placed on alert.On arrival on the scene 3 fishermen from the 5 meter ski-boat Sea Sniper were found accounted for and safely ashore after their boat had capsized at approximately 07h00 while launching through the river mouth to go to sea. Their casualty boat remained in the surfline in the capsized position.Local Dive Charter boats were attempting to right the casualty boat but after efforts were delayed NSRI Rocky Bay launched the sea rescue craft Freemasons Way and NSRI Durban responded to the scene in the NSRI Durban sea rescue vehicle towing the sea rescue craft Spirit of Surfski III that was launched on the scene, Police Search and Rescue and eThekweni surf lifeguards responded to assist.Blue Ocean Dive Charters loaned their dive charter boat, manned by eThekweni surf lifeguards, NSRI rescue swimmers and Police Search and Rescue divers, which was launched to assist.In a joint operation using the sea rescue craft and the dive charter boat the capsized casualty boat was righted and towed safely ashore and recovered.An NSRI rescue swimmer was transferred onto the casualty boat during the tow operation to assist to bail water to lighten the craft during the tow effort.Once the boat was safely ashore and recovered no further assistance was required.HERMANUS:Deon Langenhoven, NSRI Hermanus station commander, said:At 10h27, Sunday, 26th August, NSRI Hermanus duty crew were activated following eye-witness reports of a paddler on a sea kayak appearing to be in difficulty on the Klein Rivier Lagoon at Voelklip, Hermanus.The sea rescue craft Marutimus was towed to the scene by our sea rescue vehicle and launched and WC Government Health EMS were activated to assist.An adult Cape Town man had capsized while paddling on the lagoon and he was blown away from the shoreline and unable to recover onto his sea kayak.On arrival on the scene 500 meters off-shore the man, floating and holding onto his sea kayak, was rescued onto the sea rescue craft.His kayak was recovered, and he was brought safely ashore and after being checked by our NSRI medics he required no further assistance and EMS were stood down.TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE