NSRI MELKBOSSTRAND: An e-foil boarder rescued

NSRI Melkbosstrand rescues e-foil boarder after motor failure off Van Riebeeksstrand

Rowan Marais, NSRI Melkbosstrand station commander, said: "At 16h43 on Wednesday, 8 July, NSRI Melkbosstrand duty crew were activated following reports of a man on a foil board, in difficulty offshore of Van Riebeeksstrand, north of Melkbosstrand.

While our duty coxswain investigated the nature of the emergency, NSRI rescue swimmers responded towards Van Riebeeksstrand and our duty crew responded to NSRI Melkbosstrand station 18 rescue base to prepare our rescue craft for launch. Netcare 911 ambulance services and Community Medics were placed on alert.

While responding to the scene, we made contact with the man's wife. She reported that he was on an e-foil (electric hydrofoil) about 700 metres offshore and that she was watching him appearing to be in distress, trying to paddle towards shore.

Our rescue craft, Rotary's Gift, was launched, and as she arrived on the scene, our rescue swimmers got visuals of the man in the water.

On arrival, the man and his e-foil board were brought onboard the rescue craft and taken to shore. He was reunited with his wife and son and was not injured.

It appears the e-foil experienced motor failure while he was hydrofoiling offshore. No further assistance was required and NSRI returned to base."