NSRI Station 50 in Umhlanga: A vital link in water safety

Situated along the pristine coastline of Umhlanga, a bustling resort town 15km north of Durban, NSRI Station 50 has quickly become a critical part of water rescue operations in the northern regions of KwaZulu-Natal.

Known for its vibrant beaches and water sports, Umhlanga is a popular holiday destination, but with heavy surf and unpredictable sea conditions, water-related emergencies are always a possibility.

Station 50 was established in 2022 to reduce response times to Umhlanga, bridging the gap between Durban's Station 5 and Ballito's Station 41. Before its inception, rescuers from Durban had to make time-consuming journeys to reach Umhlanga. With time being a precious commodity in emergency response, the opening of Station 50 was a game-changer for the area.

The station was made possible through the generous donation of a JetRIB from the Victor Daitz Foundation. This state-of-the-art surf-rescue vessel has revolutionised rescue operations in the surf zone, providing a stable and eco-friendly solution to launch swiftly from the beach, even in challenging conditions.

"Station 50 is located close to Whalebone Pier in Umhlanga, with access to the Granny's Pool launch site,” Deputy Station Commander Matt Dickey explains. “This allows us to respond quickly to emergencies from the Umgeni River mouth to Umdloti."

In its short time of operation, Station 50 has proven its worth. Just a day after its official opening, KwaZulu-Natal was devastated by one of the worst storms and floods in recent memory. Station 50 became a key base of operations during the disaster, providing essential support to rescue teams. The station's ability to respond quickly in such challenging circumstances highlighted its strategic importance.

Currently, Station 50 has a team of seven qualified volunteers, many of whom reside in the northern regions of Durban. While technically part of Durban's Station 5, these crew members offer their time and skills to ensure that rescues can be conducted promptly and safely in Umhlanga's often treacherous waters. The station also engages closely with the local community to promote water safety.

Matt elaborates on the station's educational efforts: "We have close ties with local surf lifesaving clubs, and we work with local WhatsApp groups set up for first responders. Our crew also maintains the Pink Rescue Buoys placed along both life-guarded and non-life-guarded beaches, which have already been used in bystander rescues." 

Looking ahead, Station 50 is focused on fostering strong relationships with other first-response organisations. During the 2022 floods and a recent tornado in the Tongaat area, collaboration with other agencies was crucial. "We encourage inter-organisational training so that we can learn from one another and improve our approach to rescue operations," says Matt.

In just two years, Station 50 has become an essential part of the NSRI's mission to save lives, ensuring that those enjoying Umhlanga's beaches can do so with the knowledge that help is never far away.