A child has gone missing after being swept out to sea by a rip current in Velddrif.
At 17h51, Wednesday, 15 November, NSRI Mykonos duty crew were activated by the SA Police Services responding to Veldrift, Laaiplek, following eye witness reports of a drowning in progress.
The SA Police Services, SAPS WPDS (Water Policing and Dive Services), NSRI Mykonos rescue swimmers (who were conducting routine training in the area at the time), the NSRI Mykonos, West Coast Medical and WC Government Health EMS responded.
On arrival on the scene a search commenced for a local male child believed to be aged approximately 12 years old who had gone missing in the water after reportedly being caught in rip currents in the wave line during an outgoing tide.
SAPS WPDS divers launched a Police boat. NSRI Mykonos launched their NSRI rescue craft Rotary Onwards from our NSRI Mykonos satellite station at St Helena Bay.
Police, paramedics, NSRI Mykonos shore crew and community members conducted shoreline search efforts.
Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search there remains no sign of the child.
SAPS WPDS divers are continuing in an ongoing search.
Family of the missing child are in the care of Police and support and thoughts are with the family in this difficult time.
NSRI assists local man and Austrian kite boarder in two separate incidents.
Read More
NSRI Gqeberha crew assisted EMS in treating a fisherman who fell ill aboard a Chokka fishing boat off Port Elizabeth last night, ensuring he received urgent medical care and a safe transfer to hospital. ...
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) encourages South Africans to use National Wills Week, from 14 to 18 September 2026, to draft or update their wills and consider leaving a legacy gift that will help save lives for generations to come. ...
National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Hout Bay volunteer crew recovered a Hout Bay Yacht Club (HBYC) racing buoy at sea on Saturday, 5 September, after it broke free from its mooring and was swept out into Hout Bay in gale ...