At 13h43, Saturday, 14 November, NSRI Kleinmond and NSRI Gordons Bay duty crews were activated following reports from family members of 2 fishermen at Rooi Els on a rock on the Western side of Rooi Els cut off from mainland by the Spring high tide.The 2 men had been fishing from the rocks during the Spring low tide but at high tide they were unable to get back to mainland and their family members who were on the scene on the mainland side raised the alarm.With the next low tide expected only at around 21h00 the priority was to get them off the rocks as soon as possible.NSRI Kleinmond and NSRI Gordons Bay dispatched sea rescue vehicles, with NSRI rescue swimmers onboard, to the scene.Overberg Traffic Services and GB Med Security ambulance services were dispatched while the Overberg division of WC Government Health EMS were placed on alert.It was established that sea conditions were not favourable to send rescue swimmers across a channel of water in big surf conditions to the men and a boat rescue was ruled out. A helicopter rescue operation was deemed to be the safest option.At 13h58 NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) alerted WC Government Health EMS Metro Control who activated their EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter.An EMS rescue squad was dispatched.NSRI members and Overberg Traffic Services established a landing zone for the helicopter on Clarence Drive and WSAR (Wilderness Search and Rescue) dispatched a LZ (landing zone) team to assist at the landing zone.NSRI rescue swimmers reached rocks near to the men who were both safe on the rock and they were in no immediate danger. They were advised to stay where they were and to prepare themselves for the arrival of the helicopter.The EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter arrived on the scene and deployed an EMS rescue technician onto the rock to secure both men and to prepare them to be airlifted onto mainland.Both men were static line hoisted by the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter to the landing zone on Clarence Drive.They were medically assessed by GB Med Security paramedics and they required no further assistance.NSRI commend all involved for their quick reaction.
