At 19h01, Tuesday, 12th May, NSRI Mykonos duty crew were activated following reports from WC Government Health EMS of a man in difficulties on a small boat off-shore of Mosselbank, Paternoster.NSRI Mykonos dispatched a sea rescue vehicle, towing the sea rescue craft Spirit of Rotary – East London, and NSRI Mykonos rescue swimmers, the SA Police Services and a WC Government Health EMS rescue squad and an EMS ambulance responded.On arrival on the scene it was confirmed that a local adult man, fishing on a small fishing boat that may have capsized in the surf-line, he may have gotten into difficulty in the surf after his cries for help were heard by local residents who raised the alarm and they also reacted to try to assist the man despite the fading light.Local residents, including a local man who launched a paddle-ski onto the water who had seen the man fishing from the small boat earlier, and a local man who swam into the surf using a rope, they had both searched in the direction of where the cries for help came from on the water but by that stage in the darkness they were unable to immediately locate the man.The body of the man was then located in shallow surf by these local residents and they brought the man out of the surf and onto the beach.NSRI rescue crew, Police and EMS arrived on the scene and sadly paramedics declared the man deceased.The body of the man was taken into the care of the Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.Police have opened an inquest docket.The small fishing boat was recovered from the surf-line.Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased man.NSRI commend the public members and local residents who all assisted, including the man who launched his paddle-ski and the man who swam into the surf, for their efforts in trying to help and for raising the alarm. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is the charity that saves lives on South African waters. Our goal is to prevent drowning through rescue operations, education and prevention initiatives.Operating from base stations along the SA coastline, and on inland dams, our rescue volunteers are on call, at all hours, every day of the year. Our rescue crew receive no payment and neither do we charge the people we rescue. We visit schools around the country teaching children about water safety. Drowning prevention measures include our online training academy, with free courses for crew and the public, emergency signage, Pink Rescue Buoys for emergency flotation, rescue swimmers, lifeguards and active patrols during peak seasons.Our organisation is totally reliant on donations and sponsorships. This enables us to do the work of saving lives, changing lives and creating futures.
SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY: 112 or 087 094 9774
