Plettenberg Bay - A lady and her 4 dogs, walking on Robberg Beach assisted to safety

At 12h02 on Friday, 15 May, National Sea Rescue Institute Station 14 Plettenberg Bay duty crew were activated following concerns for the safety of a woman and her dogs who appeared to be trapped on Robberg Beach by the incoming high tide.

At 12h02 on Friday, 15 May, National Sea Rescue Institute Station 14 Plettenberg Bay duty crew were activated following concerns for the safety of a woman and her dogs who appeared to be trapped on Robberg Beach by the incoming high tide.

The alarm was raised by a group of women who alerted an NSRI crewman after noticing the woman below them on the beach appearing unable to find a safe exit route. The NSRI crewman had been walking along the top of Robberg Beach inspecting the condition of the boardwalks following recent storm damage when he was approached.

On investigation, the crewman found the woman attempting unsuccessfully to climb steep sand dunes and dense vegetation bordering the beach in an effort to escape the rising tide. With the situation rapidly becoming more urgent as the tide advanced, the NSRI crewman activated NSRI Plettenberg Bay.

NSRI rescue crew responded from the NSRI Plettenberg Bay Station 14 rescue base with rescue equipment and a rescue vehicle, while additional crew members responded directly to the scene.

On arrival, rescuers reached the woman and her four dogs on the beach. By that stage, the incoming high tide was threatening to cut off remaining escape routes from the shoreline.

The woman and her dogs were guided to the area where a wooden stairway would normally provide access off the beach. The stairway had, however, been destroyed during recent storms. Rescue crew navigated a steep pathway up the incline, successfully assisting the woman and her dogs to safety above the beach.

Once safely clear of danger, no further assistance was required.

NSRI has commended the group of women who raised the alarm for their vigilance and swift action.