Knysna Heads: NSRI assists capsized SANDF boat, all crew safe

An SANDF RHIB capsized at the Knysna Heads on Tuesday. All crew are safe, with one injured soldier in a stable condition.

Jerome Simonis, NSRI Station 12, Knysna station commander, said:

At 13h37, Tuesday, 28 July, NSRI Knysna duty crew were activated to respond to a RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) capsized at the Knysna Heads.

The sea rescue craft Eileen Meadway, Jaytee IV and Jolen were launched and a WC Government Health EMS rescue squad, SA Police Services, Police Sea Borderline Control and an SA National Defence Force (SANDF) ambulance responded.

SA National Parks were placed on alert.

On arrival on the scene we found four SANDF Waterborne Unit RHIB's in attendance and all five adult male crew, SANDF members, who had been on one of the SANDF RHIB's that had capsized, were found safe on a fellow SANDF RHIB.

One soldier had suffered an arm injury.

SANDF members had righted the casualty RHIB which had sustained damage during the capsizing.

NSRI took the casualty RHIB under tow and all craft departed for Thesen Island through challenging sea conditions.

After all craft reached Thesen Island on Knysna Lagoon safely without incident the casualty RHIB was recovered.

The injured soldier, in a stable condition, was transported to hospital by an SANDF ambulance.

It was confirmed that the four SANDF RHIBS, while on a training exercise, were approaching Knysna Heads and in relays, one after the other, they were negotiating to come through the Heads into Knysna Lagoon, in 2 to 3 meter swells.

It appears that the casualty RHIB capsized after being broadsided by a wave near to Emu Rock.

-ENDS-

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is the charity organisation that saves lives on South African waters – both coastal and inland. 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 receives no payment and neither do we charge the people we rescue.We visit schools around the country, teaching children about water safety. Our 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.You can do your bit to assist. Please visit www.nsri.org.za for more information.SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY: 112 or 087 094 9774Craig LambinonSEA RESCUE SPOKESPERSON Email: communications@searescue.org.za | Cell: +27 (0) 82 380 3800 | www.searescue.org.za