14 November: At 15h31, Friday, 14 November, NSRI Witsand duty crew were activated following a request for assistance from a local fisherman reporting that he was on his son's boat, with his son, and they were experiencing fuel starvation or motor mechanical or fuel gauge problems on the Breede River at Bobbejaanskrans.
The NSRI Witsand rescue craft was launched, accompanied by a 25 litre fuel tank, that was brought to the NSRI Witsand station 33 rescue base by the fisherman's wife.
On arrival on the scene at the casualty vessel, finding the dad and son safe, NSRI Witsand crew refuelled the casualty craft first, to determine whether the issue was fuel shortage. After refuelling the engine started successfully, and the vessel, escorted by the NSRI Witsand rescue craft, proceeded to the Kraaltjie where the vessel was safely recovered.
The family are commended for swiftly raising the alarm.
16 November:
At 17h57, Sunday 16 November, NSRI Witsand duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a kite surfer in difficulty who appeared to be drifting out to sea at Sedgwich.
The NSRI Witsand rescue craft JetRIB was launched.
On arrival on the scene, a South African kite-surfer had already reached the casualty, an adult female, released her kite, and dragged her onto a small sandbank in the Breede River Mouth. Another kite surfer, who had also seen what was happening, went to assist.
When we arrived, the patient was found to be seriously injured, suffering from hypothermia and non-fatal drowning symptoms.
The patient was loaded onto the rescue craft JetRIB and brought to the NSRI Witsand station 33 rescue base where rewarming and medical treatment continued, which included oxygen therapy and monitoring the patients vitals assisted by an AED (Automated External Defibrillator).
WC Government Health EMS had been activated and on arriving at our NSRI Witsand rescue base EMS paramedics continued with treatment and the patient was transported to hospital by EMS ambulance in a serious but stable condition.
The patient is recovering from serious injuries in hospital in the care of doctors and nurses.
The kite-boarders that assisted, the eyewitness who raised the alarm, and the swift response of NSRI and emergency services, is commended for contributing to saving the life of the kite-boarder.
In memory of Graham Howes: saving lives, changing lives
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