HERMANUS:Deon Langenhoven, NSRI Hermanus station commander, said:On Wednesday, 08 January, at 15h37, NSRI Hermanus duty crew responded to Hermanus Lagoon following an NSRI trainee crewman reporting a kite-surfer appearing to be in difficulty on the lagoon.The kite-boarder was observed and appeared to lose his board and kite which blew to the other side of the lagoon. We believe the kite was recovered but still the man seemed unable to get the kite airborne.The Sea Rescue craft Maritimus was launched at the Prawn Flats and rendezvoused with the kite-surfer, a 43 year old German man, on holiday and staying in Milnerton.The wind had died down causing the kite boarder to be unable to get his kite airborne and he drifted to the other side of the lagoon.He was taken onto our sea rescue craft and brought to shore and he required no further assistance.
MISTY CLIFFS:Ian Klopper, NSRI Kommetjie station commander, said:At 18h27, Tuesday, 07 January, NSRI Kommetjie duty crew launched the Sea Rescue craft Spirit of the Vines following reports of a kite-surfer appearing to be in difficulty 600 meters off-shore of Misty cliffs.NSRI Hout Bay were placed on alert.While responding it became apparent that a second kite-boarder was also in difficulty.We proceeded to locate the first kite-boarder and on arrival on the scene, following a brief search, the kite-boarder, an adult man from Germany, was taken onto our Sea Rescue craft, he was not injured.Following a brief search a second kite-boarder, also an adult male from Germany, he was located and recovered onto our sea rescue craft and both men and their kite-boards were brought to the Kommetjie slip-way and once safely ashore they required no further assistance.In both cases a drop in the wind caused the 2 men to be unable to get their kites airborne.
CAPE ST FRANCIS:Sara Jane Smith, NSRI St Francis Bay station commander, said:At 08h44, Monday, 06 January, NSRI St Francis Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a boat capsized with 7 people onboard, including children, all wearing life-jackets, at the Krom River Mouth.The Sea Rescue craft Spirit of St Francis II was launched and NSRI crew responded directly to the scene and on arrival on the scene all 7 crew were found safely ashore.One girl was treated for an arm injury and a slight laceration to the head and she was taken to a local doctor for further medical care.The remaining 6 crew were not injured.They are regular visitors to the area, on holiday from up-country.It appears a sand-bank, formed in the river mouth, may have contributed to the capsize.Assisted by members of the public NSRI righted and recovered the capsized boat and we commend the public members who helped.
TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE