DHL Deliverer named and blessed at NSRI Table Bay

A new rescue vessel, the 14-meter Offshore Rescue Craft (ORC), DHL Deliverer, was named and blessed at a ceremony held at Sea Rescue station in the V&A Waterfront on Friday, 8 December 2023.

Premier Alan Winde and special guests from DHL, including Hennie Heymans, Jed Michaletos, Carla Ferreira, Lizelle Roux, Adele Adamstein, Wouter Nel, Gerald Sunnasy, Dekker Wessels and Vikki Brummer, were welcomed to the ceremony by NSRI Table Bay Station Commander, Quentin Botha.

“We have brand partners with DHL since 2013, and the logistics company's contribution to the NSRI since then has been invaluable,” said Quentin before handing over to Jed Michaletos, DHL Managing Director South Africa.

“This year signifies the 10-year anniversary of our Partnership,” said Jed.“It is fitting that we get to coincide this boat naming ceremony with this significant milestone.”“On behalf of all staff at DHL Express in South Africa, across the region and the globe, we want to say a massive thank you to every single one of the NSRI volunteers. You are the real heroes. And you are why we are so proud to be involved with the NSRI,” he said.
NSRI Operations Director Brett Ayres thanked DHL for their ongoing support.

“We have few things in common,” said Brett.

“Red and yellow. Connecting people. Getting things done quickly. Taking care of precious cargo. And a promise to be there when you need us.”

“DHL have been incredibly generous, and, more importantly, they make a point of being personally involved in our partnership. We know them by name.”

“DHL takes care of our courier needs, moving essential life-saving equipment around the country to ensure that our rescue crew and Drowning Prevention teams have what they need when they need it.”

“They have also undertaken various international shipments for us, including GATH helmets from Australia and mission-critical electronic equipment from the UK for our ORC project. Over and above the shipping, DHL helped get the Team Sea Rescue cycle shirts project off the ground and sponsored a gift for the delegates who attend our annual Station Commanders Conference as well as the printing of our Annual Integrated Report, a key document we use when seeking funding from companies, government departments, trusts and foundations.”

“Simply put, DHL are family… they play a strategic role in our organisation and are always enthusiastic about going the extra mile for us.”

“We are very proud to have in our fleet Spirit of DHL, a 6.5 metre RHIB based in East London and Spirit of DHL II, an 8.8. metre RHIB based at Yzerfontein, and now the state-of-the-art Offshore Rescue Craft DHL Deliverer,” said Brett.

After the Rev. Rod Botsis blessed the rescue craft, DHL’s Carla Ferreira named the vessel in the age-old tradition: “I name this rescue craft DHL Deliverer. May God bless her and all who serve on her.”

The NSRI would like to take this opportunity to thank DHL for its continuous support of our drowning prevention, education, lifeguarding and rescue work.