ENABLING SOUTH AFRICANS TO ENJOY WATER

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) provides an essential rescue service to anybody who finds themselves in difficulty on South African coastal and inland waters. South Africa has a vast array of water users and each life lost means a family and a community in distress.

This is according to Brett Ayres, Director of Rescue Services at the NSRI who states that the organization on average responds to nearly 900 emergencies a year. However, the first two months of 2023 have been rather busy in comparison to previous years.

“Thus far we have conducted 272 rescue operations, an indication that 2023 has already been an eventful year for our rescue services. This has impacted 404 persons, whom we have bought back to their loved ones and the community at large.”

These statistics are generated through the dedication of the volunteer members from the NSRI who are on call 24 hours a day 365 days a year, who have been busy with response and support for the intense flooding experienced in various provinces since the beginning of the year. Ayres adds that the organization has also rescued 20 animals such as seals, whales, and dolphins. And has provided event safety standby for 72 events, supporting water users and assisting in making the water sporting economy safer and more attractive.

“We as an organization will continue to respond to the call to save the lives of South Africans and foreign visitors through our range of rescue services, giving them a future they would not have had without us. This is in addition to the work done to change lives through our drowning prevention initiatives,” concludes Brett.