Donate Shop Call for Help Now Find a Base

NSRI EMERGENCY
OPERATION CENTRE (EOC)

087 094 9774
Marc de Vos, NSRI Table Bay duty coxswain, said:At 18h29, NSRI Table Bay duty crew, during routine training exercises, we were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following a NSRI RSA SafeTrx emergency activation intercepted by MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) indicating a local paddler on a surf ski off-shore of Queens Beach, Sea Point, activating the emergency button of his NSRI RSA SafeTrx.NSRI Table Bay attempted to contact the paddler while launching the sea rescue craft Spirit of Vodacom and while responding to the coordinates the paddler continued to not answer his phone but the track of the SafeTrx showed that he continued to be mobile and was heading towards Mouille Point at between 3 and 4 knots. Additional emergency activations were continuing to be sent from his phone.A NSRI staff member went to the Sea Point Promenade to scour the shoreline.On arrival at the coordinates, by that stage off-shore of Mouille Point, we found a bunch of paddlers all paddling along in the direction of Granger Bay. None of the paddlers indicated that they were in any difficulties and continuing a search of the area showed no surfskiers to be in any difficulty.In an effort to prevent any of the group of paddlers from having to stop in the swell to check their phones we waited for them at the entrance to OPBC (Oceana Power Boat Club). As they passed us we called the name of the paddler (the name provided to us by the NSRI RSA SafeTrx alert). We found the paddler who on investigation noticed that his phone was 'pocket dialing' the emergency activation while he was paddling, a total of 11 accidental activations.Finding him safe and in no harm, we confirmed that this was a false alarm with good intentions and no further assistance was required.To download the NSRI SafeTrx app, please click here.TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE
Next Article

Two free services from NSRI

Read More

You may also like

Wilderness 4
RESCUES  | Published: 2 December 2023

Rescue at Wilderness Beach: Dutch Tourist's Life Saved by Friend's Quick Thinking

NSRI Wilderness, while conducting routine maintenance and routine training at the NSRI Wilderness rescue station, were alerted to a drowning in progress at Wilderness Beach. ...

Nsri base 37 thumb 824x572
RESCUE BASES  | Published: 1 December 2023

Base showcase: Station 37 (Jeffreys Bay)

The surfing haven, J-Bay, as it’s affectionately known, is home to one of the largest and most industrious NSRI bases, with plenty of plans in progress to expand its capacity to serve its community. ...

Nsri nsri alumni thumb 824x572
NEWS  | Published: 1 December 2023

Going global

Now and then, volunteers are called to leave South African shores to face new challenges and, yes, save lives in other countries. We caught up with three NSRI ‘alumni’ to find out how they’re faring… ...