The NSRI and Lawhill Maritime Centre: Preparing the Next Generation of Maritime Professionals

For many young people, the ocean is something to admire from afar. For students at the Lawhill Maritime Centre, however, it represents opportunity, purpose and the possibility of a career.

That opportunity is being strengthened through a long-standing partnership between the NSRI, the Lawhill Maritime Centre, the SATS General Botha Old Boys' Association (GBOBA) Bursary Fund, and a network of dedicated volunteers and supporters.

At the heart of the partnership is a shared belief that maritime education should extend beyond the classroom. While Lawhill provides students with a strong academic foundation, the NSRI brings that learning to life through hands-on rescue and seamanship training, mentorship and bursary support for aspiring young maritime professionals.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

One of the partnership's longest-running contributions comes from Station 10 Simon's Town, where volunteers introduce students to the realities of working safely on the water.

"Our volunteers assist by conducting a certified 'pre-sea' course," explains Deputy Station Commander Simon McDonnell. "Firstly, with a lecture in the classroom, followed by the practical component in the water."

"They gain confidence in their own abilities in the water, learn survival techniques, and the benefits of functioning as a team," Simon adds.

The pre-sea course is just one part of the NSRI's contribution. Throughout the year, experienced volunteers and instructors also provide rescue and seamanship training that allows students to apply their classroom learning in real-world conditions.

That approach was on full display during a recent three-day training programme presented by NSRI trainers Mawaxole Nkumanda and Melodie Herrmann.

Ten Lawhill students spent three days immersed in rescue and seamanship training. They learnt rope work, towing techniques, anchoring, firefighting, capsize procedures, collision regulations and vessel handling.

They also gained valuable experience reading changing sea conditions and taking the helm of an NSRI rescue craft under instructor guidance.

The three-day programme equipped students with far more than technical knowledge.

"Rescue and seamanship skills cannot be learnt from a textbook alone," Melodie explains. "Reading conditions, executing a tow, responding to a capsize or taking the helm in changing seas are skills that only take root through repetition on the water, under real (controlled) conditions. This kind of training also builds judgement and composure under pressure, qualities that matter far beyond any single exercise and that will serve these students throughout their maritime careers."

Throughout the training, the students impressed the instructors with their enthusiasm and willingness to embrace unfamiliar challenges.

"Watching them take on a challenge that seems unrealistic to them at first and just working at it until they get it right, says a lot about them," says Mawaxole. "Just seeing their passion was such a refreshing experience."

One of the most memorable moments came during the jetty jump, when students were required to enter the cold water and swim out to the rescue vessel.

For some, it meant confronting genuine fear.

"Seeing two of the girls who were scared of going in the water face their fear by jumping into the water from the pier and seeing their smiles after, reminded me why we do what we do – not just save lives but also change lives," Mawaxole shares.

Few people have witnessed the partnership develop over as many years as NSRI Honorary Life Governor and Master Mariner Keith Burchell, who was instrumental in establishing the relationship between the NSRI and the Lawhill Maritime Centre.

Reflecting on the recent training programme, Keith said it demonstrated the enduring value of the partnership and everything it was established to achieve.

"The trainers gained the trust of and excited the training group, while successfully providing them with substantial new skills and a practical understanding of NSRI volunteering requirements," Keith says. "I am extremely proud of the professional manner in which this successful event was carried out, as we all at NSRI should be."

Investing in the Future

Practical training is only one part of the NSRI's contribution to the partnership. The organisation also invests directly in promising young people by sponsoring two students through the GBOBA Bursary Fund.

This year's bursary recipients, Grade 12 learners Londiwe Ngcongo and Sinovuyo Sonti, are the latest beneficiaries of a partnership that has opened doors for many aspiring maritime professionals over the years.

Londiwe has grown into a confident young leader. Now Sailing Vice Captain, she recently competed in the Ullman Ladies Series Race at the Royal Cape Yacht Club and has passed her Day Skipper theory examination, with her practical qualification next. As she prepares for life after school, she hopes to pursue a career in radiology, while keeping open the possibility of specialising in maritime law.

Sinovuyo, meanwhile, is working towards his ambition of becoming a marine engineer.

For NSRI CEO Mike Vonk, Londiwe and Sinovuyo's journeys reflect the true purpose of the partnership.

"At the NSRI, our purpose is saving lives, changing lives and creating futures. Supporting young people through education and training is a very real expression of that purpose."

He believes the partnership's greatest strength lies in the many organisations and individuals who work together to support each student's development.

"It is a wonderful example of the saying that it takes a village to raise a child, with different organisations and individuals contributing their knowledge, time and resources to support these young people."

Looking to the future, Mike hopes today's students will become tomorrow's mentors and leaders.

"My hope is that they, and the students who follow them, will continue to see the ocean as a place of opportunity and possibility. I also hope that, in time, they will share their knowledge, mentor others and help open doors for the next generation."

He adds, "That is the real value of this partnership. It is not only about supporting individual students, but also about helping to build a more inclusive, skilled and sustainable maritime and lifesaving community for South Africa."