NSRI builds ties with Mozambique Sea Rescue Association

When Station 15 Mossel Bay Commander JC Roos and his wife, both long-standing NSRI volunteers, visited the coastal town of Tofo in Mozambique, they didn’t just find a beautiful holiday destination. They found a calling.

“To be honest, I have worked in various countries but had never been to Mozambique,” JC recalled. “So my wife and I planned a holiday to Mozambique, specifically Tofo in Inhambane, in August 2024, and we  just fell in love with the place.”

That first visit sparked a desire to give back. After returning in December and planning a third trip in February 2025 – this time with four vehicles and fifteen people, including six NSRI crew from Mossel Bay – JC began looking into sea rescue operations in the region. That’s when he discovered the Mozambique Sea Rescue Association (MSRA).

“Reaching out to them on Facebook and later WhatsApp, we started to chat a lot. I mentioned that we will be going up with vehicles in February, and a meeting was arranged.”

JC added that their first meeting was “just a meet and greet with a wonderful braai, but as discussions grew, we offered to assist with some training if required.”

The offer was warmly received, and a training session was held with the MSRA team soon thereafter. “It was great interacting with their team, and we learnt a lot from their experiences and the challenges they are facing. It was certainly an eye-opener to see how fortunate we are with our equipment.”

One especially meaningful contribution from the NSRI team was the donation of four Pink Rescue Buoys. “We took a total of 4 PRBs – of which we gave two to the MSRA and two to the Tofo Life Guards – this is another great project by the residents of Tofo where they donate and pay two permanent life guards a salary to man the Tofo main beach.”

While MSRA is already an established organisation, JC sees great potential for growth and alignment with the NSRI model. “The MSRA  are like-minded people, and I believe they want to follow the NSRI strategy. I am in the process of visiting more often and will definitely assist where I can.”

He added that the need for the MSRA is undeniable. “Mozambique is a popular holiday destination, and governmental resources are limited, so an organisation similar to NSRI is an absolute necessity,” JC said.

MSRA crew member Joanne Jeffery, who supports the organisation’s marketing and training efforts, echoed that need.

“MSRA has a huge role to play with holiday makers and tourism; however, the biggest need for sea rescue is for the local Mozambique community,” she said. “Inhambane province alone has recorded an average of 50 water-related deaths a year, and this is only what is actually recorded, not what we see. There is a huge need for educational programs, swimming lessons and safety equipment for fishermen.”

Joanne added that their hope is to create a team of people who have the trust and support of tourists and Mozambicans alike so that they can keep everyone using the water safe.

This collaboration serves as a powerful reminder that while oceans may separate us, a shared commitment to saving lives brings us closer together.