Extensive search continues for 15-year-old swept out to sea at Noordhoek Beach.

A teenager remains missing, after being swept out to sea, despite an extensive air, sea and shoreline search.

Spencer Oldham, NSRI Hout Bay station commander, said:

At 16h03, Sunday, 16 November, NSRI Hout Bay duty crew and the CoCT (City of Cape Town) water rescue network crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a teenager being swept out to sea at Noordhoek Beach, Cape Town, below Chapmans Peak Drive.

The male teenager, believed to be aged 15, from Grassy Park, reportedly went into the surf in attempts to retrieve a ball that had been swept off the rocks when he may have been caught in rip currents, and he was swept out to sea before disappearing.

NSRI rescue swimmers, CMR (Cape Medical Response), CoCT Law Enforcement, CoCT DRM (Disaster Risk Management) and the SA Police Services responded.

NSRI Hout Bay (at sea at the time conducting routine training) dispatched the NSRI rescue craft Nadine Gordimer and Albie Matthews and the NSRI Hout Bay rescue craft Spirit of GABI was launched while the NSRI Hout Bay rescue vehicle responded.

NSRI Kommetjie were alerted and launched the NSRI rescue craft Rescue 26 Alpha and the NSRI Kommetjie rescue vehicle responded.

NSRI Simonstown dispatched NSRI crew and their NSRI rescue vehicle. 

WC Government Health EMS Metro Control dispatched the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter.

Police WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services) were alerted.

On arrival on the scene an extensive search commenced for the teenager in the surf zone in strong South Easterly winds gusting to 45 knots.

Despite the extensive air, sea and shoreline search there remains no signs of the missing teenager.

Police WPDS will continue in ongoing search efforts.

Thoughts and care are with the family and friends of the missing teenager in this difficult time.