A legacy set to sea: Bay Guardian blessed in Gqeberha

The NSRI’s latest state-of-the-art Offshore Rescue Craft, Bay Guardian, was officially blessed in a heartfelt ceremony at the Port Elizabeth Deep Sea Angling Club beside Station 6 in Gqeberha.

Purpose-built for rescue operations in the most demanding conditions, Bay Guardian is a 14.8-metre self-righting vessel capable of operating up to 50 nautical miles offshore. Constructed by Two Oceans Marine Manufacturing in Cape Town, the French-designed craft blends world-class engineering with proudly South African manufacturing. She carries up to 23 survivors and six crew, seated in shock-mitigating seats to ensure safety during high-speed operations.

Since her arrival in September 2024, Bay Guardian has already proven her worth, completing 15 missions and assisting 14 people in distress, including eight urgent medical evacuations from passing ships. She has logged over 100 hours on the water between operations and training, and her impact is already being felt by the dedicated volunteers at Station 6.

“The crew at Station 6 was very excited about the arrival of our new rescue boat,” said Station Commander Justin Erasmus. “She has made, and will continue to make, a huge difference in our crew’s safety and the operations we can safely undertake.”

Beyond her technological capabilities, Bay Guardian carries a deeply human element — 739 names, etched into the vessel through the NSRI’s Celebrate a Life campaign. Inscriptions in the letters RESCUE 6 honour loved ones and have raised over R700 000 towards the vessel’s build. Each name tells a story, and each story sails on every mission.

“Since this campaign launched, I’ve had the privilege of learning some of the stories behind the names on Bay Guardian,” said NSRI CEO Mike Vonk. “Each one is deeply personal and represents far more than just a name. These stories motivate and inspire our crew every day. Every time Bay Guardian launches, she will carry these legacies, hopes, and lives — and bring people safely home.”

Vonk added: “The blessing of Bay Guardian is about bringing together and recognising two core aspects of the NSRI: our volunteers, and the community we are here to serve. Our volunteers are at the very core of the NSRI — they set out in the most austere conditions to rescue people and animals. But they don’t exist in isolation. It’s the support of our community that makes their work possible.”

As part of the NSRI’s wider fleet renewal programme, Bay Guardian is the sixth next-generation ORC commissioned, and the fourth built entirely in South Africa. “We’re currently constructing the seventh vessel for Mykonos and the eighth for Hout Bay,” said Head of Fleet and Facilities Graeme Harding. “This rollout strengthens our rescue capabilities from Richards Bay to the West Coast.”

With Bay Guardian now formally blessed, her mission is clear: to honour the past, protect the present, and carry hope into the future — one name, one life, one rescue at a time.