NSRI Honours Grootdraai Dam Rescue, Wilderness Surfer's Bravery, and 55 Years of Service at 59th Awards Ceremony and Annual General Meeting
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) held its 59th Annual General Meeting and Awards Evening at Club Mykonos in Langebaan on Friday, 14 August 2026. The evening honoured exceptional acts of bravery, gallantry, and long service, recognising volunteers and civilians whose courage and dedication reflect the organisation's core values. Bravery Awards are presented to civilians, while Gallantry Awards are presented to NSRI crew.
A High-Risk Rescue at Grootdraai Dam
The evening's top honours went to the crew and a civilian involved in a dramatic rescue at Grootdraai Dam, Mpumalanga, on 29 December 2025. Four men on a leisure outing found themselves in mortal danger when their ski-boat suffered engine failure and was blown onto the dam wall, trapping them on the spillway edge. The men entered the water and clung to the vessel, which was held in place only by its motor, as rapidly flowing water, driven by recent heavy rains, threatened to sweep them over the 40-metre drop.
NSRI Witbank responded, towing the rescue craft Harvey's Fibreglass 140 km to the scene. On arrival, the crew found the South African Police Service, Delta 1 Search and Rescue, Police K9 Search and Rescue, Mpumalanga Fire and Rescue Services and Government Health EMS already on scene, but were unable to reach the casualties. The Department of Water and Sanitation opened sluice gates to reduce the flow of water, helping stabilise the vessel and buy crucial time.
With no local knowledge of the dam and launching in darkness, strong wind and fast-flowing water, the NSRI crew turned to Riaan Reijsbergen, a member of the public who knew the dam well. Riaan did not hesitate, guiding the crew roughly four kilometres upstream to the spillway and helping navigate the unfamiliar terrain throughout the operation.
Coxswain Travis Clack, NSRI Witbank's Station Commander, adapted his approach under pressure and made the critical call to recover all four men simultaneously using a single throw line and rescue tube, then used controlled reverse thrust to pull them clear of the spillway. Deputy Station Commander Francois du Randt and trainee crew member Jacoline Enslin managed the line at the bow throughout the extraction. All four casualties, who had been in the water for more than four hours, were brought safely ashore hypothermic but uninjured. NSRI’s Station 27 Gauteng's crew also responded in support, towing the rescue craft Rotary Endeavour170 km from their Benoni base and standing ready throughout the operation.
For his leadership, decisive decision-making and skilled boat handling in extreme conditions, Travis Clack was awarded the NSRI Gallantry Gold Award. Francois du Randt and Jacoline Enslin were each awarded the NSRI Gallantry Silver Award for their composure and skill throughout the high-risk extraction. For stepping forward and risking his own safety to guide the rescue crew, Riaan Reijsbergen was awarded the NSRI Bravery Silver Award.
NSRI Chief Executive Officer Michael Vonk also sent letters of thanks to NSRI Station 27 Gauteng and to the Department of Water and Sanitation, recognising the department's swift, informed intervention as instrumental to the rescue's success.
See the Grootdraai Dam rescue video story here: https://youtu.be/Nc8NrtY0slI?si=fxvI9BtXD4GEu9LM
A Surfer's Quick Thinking at Wilderness Beach
On 13 January 2026, local surfer Cade Harris was watching two swimmers at Lientjiesklip, Wilderness Beach, when he saw them get into difficulty in rough seas and dumping shore-break waves. Cade paddled out on his surfboard and reached a 29-year-old man from Upington who was exhausted and barely conscious, getting him onto the board and keeping him afloat until NSRI rescue swimmers and lifeguards could assist him to shore. The man was treated for non-fatal drowning symptoms and discharged from hospital the following morning. For his willingness to act, Cade Harris was awarded the NSRI Bravery Bronze Award.
NSRI Station Awards
Special Service Awards
The Marmion Marsh Trophy, awarded annually for distinguished service to the NSRI and named in memory of Marmion Marsh, the late Managing Director of Safmarine and a great supporter of the organisation, was presented to Mark Bayly. Mark has been part of the NSRI family for two decades, first as an ambassador for the WaterWise water-safety education programme and, since 2017, as master of ceremonies at the NSRI's Annual General Meeting and Awards Evening, a role he has filled at no charge every year since.
The Alric Simpson Floating Trophy, a maritime-themed knot board commissioned by Eleanor Simpson and her sons in memory of her husband and awarded annually for distinguished service to the NSRI, was presented to the Oceana Group. The trophy recognises Oceana's 23-year partnership with the NSRI, which began in 2002 and grew into a Platinum Partnership in 2013. Oceana's support has kept volunteer crews equipped and trained, extended drowning-prevention education to vulnerable communities, and helped deliver safety-at-sea and first-aid training to small-scale fishing cooperatives across the country.
NSRI also conferred its Honorary Life Governor honour on David James, in recognition of his selfless contribution to the cause of sea rescue in South Africa.
Clifford Ireland received the Meritorious Service Award on his retirement as NSRI's KwaZulu-Natal representative on the Operations Support Committee, the Committee's Chairperson and NSRI Governance Board Director. Over 34 years of service, including five years leading the Committee, his contributions included a Gallantry Silver Award in 2022 for his leadership during the catastrophic KwaZulu-Natal floods.
Long Service Awards
The NSRI honoured volunteers and staff who have served for 20 years and more, including two members marking an extraordinary 55 years of service: Patrick van Eyssen of Station 3 Table Bay, and Ian Hamilton of Station 15 Mossel Bay.
A Celebration of Courage and Commitment
NSRI Chairperson Jonathan Velloza, who presented the awards, said:
“Tonight we honour extraordinary courage and lifelong commitment. Every award represents not only individual bravery but also the collective spirit of the NSRI, volunteers, families, partners, and supporters working together to save lives.”
Read the citations here: https://www.nsri.org.za/2025/08/awards25/
Photographs are available for media use here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD2sdc
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