‘We are recognised’: Quentin Power reflects on receiving NSRI's Gallantry Gold Award

The Capital Zimbali in Ballito set the stage for a night of celebration and recognition on 19 July, as the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) hosted its 57th Annual Awards Evening and AGM.

For the first time in the NSRI’s history, Gold Gallantry awards were handed out to crew members in recognition of their bravery in the face of danger. These awards are the highest honour that the organisation can give volunteers. This year, five members received the distinguished honour acknowledging their heroic actions during the catastrophic floods that ravaged KwaZulu-Natal in April 2022.

Quentin Power, who was one of the recipients, showed unwavering bravery during the chaos and destruction and exemplified the highest standards of the NSRI, making him a fitting recipient of the prestigious award.

The floods, which occurred between 11 and 13 April 2022, wreaked havoc across the region, especially in and around Durban. The intensity of the rain led to the loss of over 435 lives, with thousands more affected as homes, infrastructure, and communities were destroyed.

Amid this chaos, Quentin and his team stood as a beacon of hope, embodying the spirit of the NSRI through their tireless efforts to save lives under the most hazardous conditions.

Quentin, along with his team from the NSRI Station, responded to numerous calls for help as the water levels rapidly rose, endangering the lives of many.

His leadership and quick thinking were pivotal in rescuing over 170 people, many of whom were trapped in dangerous situations such as on rooftops, inside vehicles, and even clinging to building windows.

Reflecting on the intensity of the situation, Quentin shared, "We had containers that were rolling around like little matchstick boxes. The water was travelling at such a speed that even if we turned the boat and jet ski into the flow, we couldn't keep up.”

One of the most harrowing moments of the rescue operation occurred at 04:30 in the morning. Quentin and fellow rescuer Johan Muller discovered a security guard trapped in a submerged building.

The guard, unable to swim and with the water rapidly rising, had been desperately bouncing off the floor to gasp for air in the diminishing space between the water and the ceiling.

Quentin described the scene vividly: "As he took his last breath, the water level was touching the roof inside. If we hadn't broken the hole at that specific moment, he wouldn't have made it."

The rescue was nothing short of miraculous. Quentin and Johan managed to smash through the asbestos roof, pulling the guard to safety just in the nick of time. "For me, that was the highlight of the evening," Quentin recalled.

Quentin's unwavering courage and selflessness during these tragic events exemplify the very best of what the NSRI stands for. His actions not only saved lives but also inspired his peers and the broader community, earning him the well-deserved Gallantry Gold award.

As Quentin humbly accepted the award, he expressed the importance of recognition for his team and other rescue crews. "By the NSRI handing out these types of awards, the crews out there know they are being noticed and recognised for what they do," he said.

The Gallantry Gold award is reserved for those who demonstrate exceptional bravery, often at great personal risk, in the service of others.

Quentin Power’s story, and the many others from volunteers during the floods, will serve as an enduring reminder of the courage and dedication required in the face of overwhelming adversity.