RESCUE BASES / 27 MARCH 2024

Base Showcase: Station 36 (Oyster Bay)

Deeply rooted in the fabric of this scenic coastal town, the NSRI’s Oyster Bay base is a shining example of community service and rescue excellence.

In 2008, two days before Christmas, chokka boat ‘The Kingfisher’ capsized in a remote area near Oyster Bay, carrying 19 men on board. The skipper and one crewman managed to reach the shore despite poor weather conditions, while three more crew were plucked from the rough sea by rescue helicopters. Tragically, despite a massive rescue effort, the remaining 14 crew perished.

The incident inspired Oyster Bay resident Mark Mans to establish an NSRI station in the area, to ensure closer proximity and a quicker response time in the event of another emergency.

Starting with only a handful of members, a jet ski, and a lot of passion, Station 36 was established in 2010, with Mark as its station commander, initially operating as a satellite station for St Francis Bay (Station 21). Since then, it has grown into fully-fledged and independent station, now boasting a capable crew of 27 (with an additional 18 trainees), and recently moved into a new, modernised station building.

Mark stepped down as station commander in 2018, handing the reins over to Lodewyk van Rensburg, who joined in 2017 and still heads up the station today.

“I’ve been involved with volunteer rescue services from a young age, first joining the police as a reservist and then later qualifying as a paramedic and volunteering with a private ambulance service and the fire department,” says Lodewyk.

After moving his family to the coastal town from Hartbeespoort, sea rescue was a natural transition for him.

“Volunteering with the NSRI means dedicating oneself to a cause greater than individual aspirations,” he says. “Through shared experiences of challenge and trauma, bonds of brotherhood are forged, instilling each rescue with deeper meaning and purpose. Every callout teaches you something more about yourself. It’s a continuous journey of self-discovery, pushing the boundaries of our capabilities and fostering camaraderie among the team.”

The crew’s trainees meet every Tuesday evening for training sessions, alternating between theory and practical exercises, while Wednesdays bring together the station’s junior crew, ages 10 to 14, to undergo basic training in order to graduate to Trainee status.

Biweekly, Station 36 crew and its satellite units in Storms River and Eerste River synchronise training efforts, while larger joint exercises with neighbouring stations are conducted several times a year, ensuring readiness and cohesion across operations.

“We hosted the largest joint training exercise for our region at Storms River Mouth recently, with 70 volunteers from Oyster Bay, Eerste River, Storms River, Jeffreys Bay, St Francis Bay and Gariep coming together to sharpen their skills,” says Lodewyk.

Though primarily sea-bound, Station 36 frequently responds to land-based emergencies due to their remote location, and last year alone conducted 49 rescue operations in total, assisting more than 69 casualties. Along the Otter Trail, satellite Station 46 in Storms River regularly responds to injured hikers that require immediate assistance or evacuation.

One of the biggest challenges Lodewyk faces as Station Commander is looking after his own frame of mind as well as motivating the crew. “As the station commander, people tend to believe that you’re emotionally untouched when it comes to dealing with crew’s personal issues or traumatic call outs. Sometimes you also have to sit back, listen and accept help.”

Seeing the difference that the NSRI makes in people’s lives, however, makes it all worthwhile – and of course he couldn’t do it without his 2IC, deputy station commander Cobus van Aswegen.

“Our family has been coming to Oyster Bay for holidays for more than 25 years,” says Cobus. “I always had a passion for the sea, and especially for the little town of Oyster Bay, but never imagined we would permanently live here, nor that we would join the NSRI! Three years ago, we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to permanently relocate to Oyster Bay. At first, our world felt confined, until an invitation to an NSRI meeting expanded our horizons. Welcomed warmly by the crew, my wife, our 12-year-old daughter and I swiftly integrated into the station, becoming members of the training crew and eventually graduating to the active operational crew.”

Melissa van Rensburg, Lodewyk’s wife, who is actively involved in administration and fundraising for the station, confirms that they pride themselves on their close-knit crew: “In our station, familial bonds intertwine with our common goal, creating an atmosphere where our children are nurtured within an extended family. Beyond mere teamwork, we’ve cultivated a deep reliance on one another that extends into our everyday lives. The foundation laid has not only streamlined our operations, but also elevated the quality of training for our recruits and active crew.”

Apart from the modern new base building, which has given the crew a huge boost in morale, other recent developments include a very successful fundraiser – the annual NSRI Oyster Bay Mandjie Dance – which facilitated the purchase of essential furniture and equipment for the base’s medical and training rooms.

“We are in the process of raising further funds to fully equip our medical/trauma room with everything needed to stabilise patients while waiting for an ambulance,” says Melissa. “Oyster Bay is quite remote and we often wait up to 90 minutes for an ambulance to arrive. Sometimes the gravel road is inaccessible and we have to wait longer, so having the facilities to keep patients stable in this time is critical.”

Another fundraising goal for the station is the procurement of a JetRIB for its satellite station in Eerste River, as there are regular emergency situations there. “We have managed to raise R285 000 already,” says Melissa, “but need to raise an additional R320 000.”

A true pillar of the community that is growing from strength to strength, the NSRI crew in Oyster Bay can be genuinely proud of what they have achieved.