Meet our new NSRI Station Commanders

This month, the NSRI welcomes 11 new Station Commanders — volunteers who lead with skill, heart, and a deep sense of purpose.

The average age is 39, with 11 years of service, but there’s nothing average about them. From Edrich Kotze, just 26 and now leading Station 17, Hermanus, to Darren Zimmerman (who returns to take command of Simon’s Town from Simon McDonnell in September) with over three decades of rescue experience. Each brings something remarkable to the helm.

Among them are professionals from all walks of life: a developer, an attorney, a quantity surveyor, a chartered accountant, and more — united by a shared mission to save lives at sea.

Here are the people who answer the call to lead...

Station 2, Bakoven
Name: Bevan Geyser
Age: 29
Years of service: 13
Bio: I am an admitted attorney practising law in Cape Town. I joined NSRI in 2012 at Station 8, Hout Bay, and relocated to Station 2, Bakoven, in 2019. The NSRI means family, service, and purpose to me. My crew is dear to me, and our mission at sea even more so.

Station 5, Durban
Name: Etienne van Zyl
Age: 35
Years of service: 6
Bio: I grew up in Durban and have always felt at home on the water. Weekends were spent on the dam, deep-sea fishing, and scuba diving. I joined Station 5 in 2019 after my brother convinced me to attend a base meeting. I quickly found a place amongst the crew, and I've never looked back. Little did I know from that first meeting how Sea Rescue would change my life. Being chosen as the StatComm is a real privilege. For me, Sea Rescue is about teamwork, trust, and always having each other's backs. I thoroughly enjoy travelling and photography, and am always keen on making memories through new experiences.
 

Station 6, Noordhoek-Satellite 1 and Port Elizabeth
Name: Mark Dawson
Age: 41
Years of service: 6
Bio: I arrived in South Africa in 2010 from the UK, initially on a 6-month visa volunteering for a sports coaching charity. Whilst here, I learned to sail and got heavily involved in the local yacht club racing scene and committee. When the opportunity to stay came as a job offer, I jumped at it, and now I run a property management company in Gqeberha. Having been with the NSRI since 2019, the organisation combined my love for the water with my desire to give back to my community. Over time, as a volunteer, my knowledge and experience have grown in line with my personal career and business development. Sea Rescue is a second family. The courses and opportunities afforded to me by being part of the NSRI have significantly impacted that growth, and by becoming the Station 6 Station Commander, I aim to maintain and enhance the station's high standards and afford others the opportunities I have had.

Station 10, Simon’s Town
Name: Darren Zimmerman
Age: 50
Years of service: 34
Bio: I joined the NSRI in 1991 and qualified as a coxswain and crew manager by 20. I became Station Commander at Simon’s Town in 2004, served 19 years, and was recently voted back in. Over the years, I’ve managed everything from routine callouts to complex, multi-day rescues involving multiple stations and services. Outside NSRI, I began in boat building, delivered yachts across the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Mediterranean, and later joined the Fire and Rescue Services, completing rescue, paramedic, and heavy vehicle training. I now lead a private EMS company as Managing Director and business partner. Alongside my StatComm role, I represent Region One on the Operations Support Committee , serve on the National Awards Committee, and support the training department with skipper assessments.

Station 11, Port Alfred and Kenton-on-Sea
Name: Gerrit Cloete
Age: 42
Years of service: 7
Bio: I've lived in Port Alfred for 35 years. I grew up here and started working in the boating industry from school. I've been fishing a lot and have been involved in the commercial fishing industry as well. I met my wife in Port Alfred, got married, and have two sons. And I've had my boat shop here for the last 15 years. The NSRI is a very worthy cause. We give hope to the communities, especially with the drowning calls, and are always there when necessary. My local station's inherent discipline, motivation and camaraderie have carried me through many tough times. I've got a lot of time for my station, the people at my station, and the entire institute. I've never been to a Sea Rescue base where I haven't felt part of the family.

Station 17, Hermanus
Name: Edrich Kotze
Age: 26
Years of service: 5
Bio: I recently received my BSc in IT and was awarded the National Top Achiever Award. I have been working as a developer for Barko Financial Services since October 2024, and am also the COO at Northwood Studios, a small indie game developer. Originally from Johannesburg, I have lived happily in Hermanus for five years. Station 17 and the NSRI have become a home away from home since I joined as a trainee crew member shortly after moving here. The NSRI has provided me with purpose, fulfilment and camaraderie. It is something that enriched my life without bounds. I only wish to uphold this for future generations and ensure that we, as an institute, can continue saving lives on South African waters.

Station 19, Richard’s Bay
Name: Norman Rautenbach
Age: 53
Years of service: 13
Bio: I rejoined the NSRI in 2012. I'd originally joined during my school days, in 1987/88, but we stayed out of town, so I wasn't that frequent at the base. Workwise, I'm an industrial sales manager. I grew up around the water and enjoy fishing, if we get a bit of boat time on our own boats. I joined the NSRI because we're the guys that are going to go out there and rescue somebody when no one else will, and we're one of the few organisations that still provide a good quality service and being volunteers makes it so much more special.

Station 21, St Francis Bay
Name: Paul Hurley
Age: 51
Years of service: 15
Bio: I am a Chartered Quantity Surveyor working in commercial property investment. I enjoy fishing and travelling. I joined Station 21 fifteen years ago, soon after moving back to St Francis Bay from the Middle East. Then, I got increasingly involved: as crew, then coxswain, then Deputy Statcom, then Statcom from 2014 to 2016, and now again. NSRI volunteering offers a unique way to give back to one's community.

Station 27, Gauteng
Name: Nicholas Wood
Age: 38
Years of service: 6
Bio: I joined NSRI in 2019 as a way to keep busy. After an eventful training session, I realised what this organisation is about. In April 2021, I moved to Gauteng and joined Station 27. I became the Training Officer in December 2021. I love the NSRI and what we stand for. Creating a water-safe nation is critical, and being able to help and share that with these youngsters when doing rowing events, seeing them realise these guys are here to help me. It’s not a major rescue or medivac, but it gives us the same satisfaction knowing we are making that difference.

Station 29, Air-Sea Rescue Unit
Name: Ewald Bonzet
Age: 30
Years of service: 11
Bio: I’m a Chartered Accountant working for the Shoprite Group of Companies. Beyond spreadsheets and boardrooms, I’m a Basic Life Support Medic who volunteers with various ambulance services and, of course, the NSRI. Being appointed Station Commander at Air Sea Rescue is a real honour, and I’m excited to contribute more to the team and the organisation. The NSRI reminds me daily of the value of life, the strength of community, and the power of selfless service. It’s an organisation built on trust and courage, and it’s an honour to contribute to its mission.

Station 40, St Lucia and Cape Vidal-Satellite
Name: Melinda Snyman
Age: 37
Years of service: 4
Bio: I grew up in St. Lucia and spent most of my life on or near the sea - it's always been part of who I am. I work in the fuel industry, where I've learned the value of hard work, teamwork, and leadership. One of my proudest achievements has been qualifying as a Class 3 coxswain, and I'm incredibly honoured to now serve as Station Commander for NSRI Station 40, right here in my hometown. I'm excited to lead Station 40's passionate team into the next chapter, continuing the vital work we do along this beautiful coastline.