Donate Shop Call for Help Now Find a Base

NSRI EMERGENCY
OPERATION CENTRE (EOC)

087 094 9774

According to Marc de Vos, NSRI Table Bay station commander, at 19h59, Tuesday, 8 June, NSRI Table Bay duty crew were activated by NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) following a Mayday distress call from a local 45 foot yacht reporting to be run aground on the Eastern side of Robben Island.

The 3 local crew reported to be in no imminent danger. MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre), TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority - Port Control), NSRI Melkbosstrand, NSRI Bakoven, Police Sea Borderline Control, WC Government Health EMS - Metro Control, the Police Dive Unit, CoCT (City of Cape Town) Law Enforcement Marine Unit and CoCT Fire and Rescue Services - Fire Dive Unit, were placed on alert.

Communications were assisted by Telkom Maritime Radio Services. The sea rescue craft Spirit of Day and Spirit of Vodacom were launched while DEFF (Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries) officers approached the area from the land side.

On arrival on the scene, in calm seas and dense fog, the vessel was found to be hard aground and listing. A rescue swimmer was deployed to swim and wade to the vessel.In relays of one at a time the 3 casualty crew were assisted to shore by the NSRI rescue swimmer and they were assisted by DEFF officers on the land side. Efforts to pull the yacht off the rocks were investigated but in the low tide the effort was abandoned and an anchor was deployed to attempt to hold the yacht away from the shore at high tide that was due in the early hours of the morning.

Disaster Risk Management control were then alerted. The owner and salvors will attempt to salvage the yacht today, Wednesday, 9 June. The 3 men, aged 48, 52 and 66, from Durbanville, were brought to our NSRI Table Bay sea rescue station aboard our sea rescue craft and they were transported to their vehicles. They were not injured and no further assistance was required.The operation completed at 01h00.

Next Article

3 injured sailors patient evacuated off a motor container vessel in Durban

Read More

You may also like

Oceans82024 Day1 187
 | Published: 23 May 2025

Oceans8: Making Waves for the NSRI and Others in Need

Every June, a different kind of tribute unfolds along Durban’s golden coastline. This tribute takes the form of grit, determination, and countless kilometres swum in the name of charity. We’re talking about the Oceans8 Charity Swim — an inspiring open-water ...

Photo of the month may thumb 824x572
NEWS  | Published: 21 May 2025

Photo of the month: May 2025

Send us your favourite photograph of NSRI people doing what we do, and you could win an NSRI shop voucher worth R250! Simply email your photo (which should be no smaller than 2MB) to news@searescue.org.za with 'Monthly photo' in the ...

Zinitha Manavele thumb 824x572
SURVIVAL SWIMMING  | Published: 21 May 2025

Zinitha’s remarkable journey from fearful beginner to inspiring instructor

When 18-year-old Zinitha Manavele first arrived at the Long Street swimming pool in October 2024, she could barely swim and was scared of water. Less than six months later, she’s a certified volunteer survival swimming instructor inspiring young learners – ...