Incidents at Mossel Bay and St Francis Bay

It's been another busy couple of days for the NSRI crews in the Southern Cape.

MOSSEL BAY:

At 14h48, Tuesday, 20 December, NSRI Mossel Bay were alerted following reports of Pygmy Sperm Whales beached at Diaz Beach, Mossel Bay.

Mossel Bay Municipal lifeguards, assisted by bystanders, were attempting to get the whales, 3 adults and a calf, back into the water.

Members of Mossel Bay Municipality, NSRI Mossel Bay rescue swimmers, SMART (Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team), the SA Police Services, Mossel Bay Law Enforcement officers, members of the Environmental Service Incident Working Group Africa and members of the Ocean Research Institute responded.

Marine Scientists were alerted.

Following numerous attempts to save the whales, in poor health and suffering, marine scientists advised humane euthanization by the authorities.

The public were respectfully requested to retreat to a safe distance.

3 whales died naturally and one sadly was required to be humanely euthanised.

All involved in the efforts to save the whales are commended.

ST FRANCIS BAY:

At 12h22, Friday, 16 December, NSRI St Francis Bay duty crew were alerted to reports of a drowning in progress at Grannies Pool.

NSRI rescue swimmers, Private Care ambulance services and Gardmed ambulance services responded directly to the scene where it was found that Kouga Municipal lifeguards had recovered a male child from the water who appeared to suffer injuries and submerge under water after reportedly jumping from a rock into the water.

The child was treated for non-fatal drowning symptoms and injuries before being transported to hospital by Private Care ambulance in a stable condition.