Incidents at Lamberts Bay, Saldanha Bay and Durban

At 11h26, Friday, 2 June, NSRI Lamberts Bay duty crew were alerted to Pygmy Sperm whale beached at Lamberts Bay Beach inside of the small breakwater. Also, On Friday, 2 June, NSRI Mykonos duty controllers were informed of 5 surf-skiers launching on a down wind paddle in Saldanha Bay and would be using the NSRI SafeTrx smart phone application during the paddle. Lastly, At 08h14, Sunday, 4 June, NSRI Durban duty crew were activated by NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) following eye-witness reports of a surf-skier in distress in the surf line at Virginia Beach.

LAMBERTS BAY:

Pygmy Sperm whale humanely euthanised by authorities after beaching:

Avril Mocke, NSRI Lamberts Bay station commander, said:

The whale was alive and appeared to have laceration injuries possibly from drifting over rocks before beaching.

The West Coast Marine Animal Stranding Network was alerted.

NSRI rescue swimmers swam the whale out to sea in an effort to assist the whale back into the ocean.

It appeared that the animal would survive but sadly the whale beached again a short time later.

TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Port Control were alerted.

The Department of Environment attended at the scene with the SA Police Services. The whale was humanely euthanised and the whale carcass was removed by the authorities.

The effort by all involved to try to save the whale is commended.

SALDANHA BAY:

Surf-skier rescued after activating an emergency on the NSRI SafeTrx smart phone application:

Nic Stevens, NSRI Mykonos station commander, said:

Later, at 16h26, NSRI Mykonos duty crew were activated after one of the 5 paddlers, a local man, activated an emergency distress using the NSRI SafeTrx emergency procedure.

The position of the emergency was given as North west of The Candle, in Saldanha Bay.

The NSRI rescue craft Spirit of East London II was launched and NSRI rendezvoused with the casualty, an experienced paddler was standing by at his location.

The casualty paddler, whose craft had earlier capsized, was rescued onto the NSRI rescue craft and suffering from hypothermia he was brought to shore at Yacht Port (small craft harbour) in Saldanha Bay.

A West Coast Medical Rescue ambulance had been activated and the patient was transported to hospital by a West Coast Medical Rescue ambulance in the care of their paramedics for further medical treatment.

The 4 remaining paddlers were tracked until they reached Langebaan Yacht Club safely.

The casualties surf-ski was recovered.

The 5 paddlers are commended for using the NSRI SafeTrx smart phone application.

DURBAN:

Surf-skier rescued after capsizing in the surf break:

Jonathan Kellerman, NSRI Durban station commander, said:

NSRI Durban and NSRI Umhlanga crew responded to prepare to launch an NSRI rescue craft while NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene.

The KZN surf rescue network were alerted.

A KZN Fire and Rescue Services officer also responded.

While responding it was confirmed that crew on a local ski-boat had noticed the paddler in distress and they had rescued him onto their boat.

The local man was not injured.

NSRI rescue swimmers recovered the surf-ski from the mid surf break.

The man was reunited with his surf-ski and no further assistance was required.

The local crew of the ski-boat are commended for their assistance.