NSRI’s 6th Offshore Rescue Craft arrives at Gqeberha

The National Sea Rescue Institute’s (NSRI) sixth Offshore Rescue Craft (ORC) Rescue 6 has completed her maiden voyage from Cape Town to her home station in Gqeberha’s port of Port Elizabeth and arrived at 15h30 on 25 September 2024.

Built by Two Oceans Marine in Cape Town, the ORC is designed for high performance in harsh maritime conditions. It is self-righting and purpose-built for rescue operations in extreme conditions. At 14.8m long and 4.8m wide, it can be deployed as far as 50 nautical miles from land and has an expected lifespan of at least 40 years.

Rescue 6’s delivery crew, made up of NSRI Training Manager Graeme Harding as delivery coxswain, outgoing NSRI CEO Dr Cleeve Robertson, NSRI Executive Director Mark Hughes, and three Gqeberha volunteer crew members, sailed Rescue 6 from Cape Town to Mossel Bay on September 24^th and 25th, 2024.

After a crew swap and refuelling at Mossel Bay on Tuesday night, she arrived at her new home in Gqeberha’s port of Port Elizabeth late on Wednesday afternoon.

“The crew at Station 6 is very excited about the arrival of our new rescue boat, said Justin Erasmus, NSRI’s Gqeberha station Commander. “She is going to make a huge difference to our crew safety and the type of operations that we can safely do.”

“We are still looking for a naming sponsor, so at the moment, we use her call sign Rescue 6 as her name,” said Justin.

“She is a huge step up from what we are used to, and we have adjusted our training to safely and effectively crew this extremely advanced rescue vessel,” said Justin. “We will continue with the training program to ensure we are fully operational as soon as possible and ready to put to sea for rescue operations.”

“Our fleet replacement program will see the entire NSRI all-weather search and rescue fleet replaced with the new vessels, allowing for increased operational capability,” said NSRI’s Capital Projects Director Mark Hughes. “Rescue 6 is the 6th vessel, four of which are entirely South African built. We have another two to build to complete this phase of the fleet replenishment,” said Mark.

This world-class search and rescue vessel can carry up to 23 survivors and accommodate six volunteer rescue crew in shock-mitigating seats, allowing for high-speed operation in difficult sea conditions.

“Although most rescues are coastal and inshore, an increasing number of our operations require search and rescue vessels with extended range and advanced capability in safety and technology,” said Mark. “As the only maritime rescue service operating in South African waters, we needed to make this investment to ensure all-round safety for crew and those rescued,” he said.

“Station 6 Gqeberha appreciates all the effort into building Rescue 6, and we wish to thank everyone involved. We especially want to thank NSRI’s Executive Director of Capital Projects, Mark Hughes, who has driven the ORC project from the start for the NSRI,” added Justin.

Anyone interested in the naming rights of this Offshore Rescue Craft, which will be based in Gqeberha’s port of Port Elizabeth, please get in touch with Alison Smith at 082 992 1191 or email alisons@searescue.org.za