Vaughn Seconds, NSRI Strandfontein station commander, said:At 16h14, Tuesday, 06th August, NSRI Strandfontein duty crew were activated following reports of a surfer in difficulty and appearing to be swept out to sea at Surfers Corner, Muizenberg.The NSRI Strandfontein sea rescue craft Film Industry Fund Rescuer 1 was launched, the NSRI Simonstown sea rescue craft Spirit of safmarine III was launched, 2 NSRI rescue swimmers working in Muizenberg at the time responded and CoCT Law Enforcement officers, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services rescue squad and Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services rescue dive unit responded.The EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter and WC Government Health EMS were placed on alert.The Shark spotters and NSRI Coast Watchers were alerted to keep a look-out.CoCT Law Enforcement officers and CoCT Fire and Rescue Services arrived on the scene to find the surfer, a local male, aged in his 30's, being swept out to sea.2 NSRI Strandfontein rescue swimmers entered the water and swam after the surfer who at that stage was approximately 600 meters off-shore.5 local surfers paddled after the surfer and they reached the surfer and they were joined by an additional 2 surfers who had also paddled out to assist and joined by the 2 NSRI rescue swimmers.The casualty was assisted back to the beach through the surfline. The 7 surfers and the 2 NSRI rescue swimmers supported the surfer in the strong off-shore wind conditions to get safely back to the beach where the CoCT Fire and Rescue Services paramedics treated the casualty surfer on the beach for hypothermia and following treatment he was released into the care of a friend and no further assistance was required.2 NSRI sea rescue craft, from Strandfontein and from Simonstown, arrived on the scene as the surfer was being assisted from the surf and the 2 sea rescue were stood down to return to base.NSRI commend the quick response by CoCT emergency services to this incident and we commend the 7 surfers and the 2 NSRI rescue swimmers who joined together to rescue the casualty surfer to the beach safely.
