On Saturday, 10 September, NSRI Hermanus, while conducting routine maintenance at our NSRI Hermanus rescue station were alerted by public members of a seal, witnessed in amongst the Dolosse, in and around the new harbour, with a rope entangled around the seals neck.

Andre Barnard, NSRI Hermanus station commander, said:
NSRI Hermanus and local authorities are well aware of this seal that had evaded multiple attempts over the past few weeks by NSRI to try to disentangle the rope that was wrapped and entangled around the seals neck.
Every time we tried to help the seal it dived into the water to swim away and escaped our efforts.
On this occasion our NSRI crew took SA Whale Disentanglement gear to the scene and NSRI crew, approaching the seal cautiously, commenced efforts using the whale disentanglement specialised cutting equipment.
The efforts were successful and the rope was cut free.
No further assistance was required.
Plett beaches closed after shark incident
Read MoreThe National Sea Rescue Institute’s (NSRI) newest Offshore Rescue Craft (ORC), Spirit of Ubuntu, has completed her journey from Table Bay and arrived at her new home at NSRI Station 8 Hout Bay yesterday, 19 August 2026. ...
Dog rescued after being swept 200 metres out to sea off Pollock Beach, Gqeberha ...
NSRI Honours Grootdraai Dam Rescue, Wilderness Surfer's Bravery, and 55 Years of Service at 59th Awards Ceremony and Annual General Meeting ...