RESCUE OPERATIONS / 4 AUGUST 2020

Missing Fisherman

A fisherman is missing in Durban after going missing in the surf at Snake Park Beach, while trying to recover a Sardine fishing boat.

Paul Bevis, NSRI Station 05, Durban duty coxswain, said:At 08h45, Tuesday 4 August, NSRI Durban duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Snake Park Beach, Durban.A sea rescue craft was placed on alert and NSRI Durban rescue swimmers, Police Search and Rescue, Metro Police Search and Rescue, eThekwini lifeguards and eThekwini Law Enforcement responded.On arrival on the scene a search commenced for a local fisherman, believed to be aged in his mid twenties.He had gone missing after getting into difficulty in the surf during efforts to recover a Sardine fishing boat onto the beach.At low tide it appears while recovering the Sardine fishing boat the man may have slipped off the shore bank before being caught in rip currents.Fellow fisherman had attempted to rescue the man before he disappeared under water.An extensive search revealed no sign of the man and Police, Metro Police and lifeguards are continuing in search efforts.Police have opened an investigation.Thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing man in this difficult time.

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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 9774Released by: