NSRI rescue vessel Spirit of Ubuntu arrives at her new home in Hout Bay

The National Sea Rescue Institute’s (NSRI) newest Offshore Rescue Craft (ORC), Spirit of Ubuntu, has completed her journey from Table Bay and arrived at her new home at NSRI Station 8 Hout Bay yesterday, 19 August 2026.

While the voyage was relatively short, it marked the culmination of years of research, planning, design, local boatbuilding and fundraising through one of the largest capital investment programmes in the NSRI’s history.

Spirit of Ubuntu entered the water for the first time on 15 July 2026 before undergoing sea trials and certification by the South African Maritime Safety Authority. Following final preparations in Table Bay, she travelled around the Atlantic seaboard to Hout Bay, where she was welcomed by the Station 8 Hout Bay volunteer sea rescue crew.

Her arrival represents a significant step forward in the station’s ability to undertake long-range, high-stakes rescue operations in some of South Africa’s most demanding sea conditions.

A fleet built for the future

Spirit of Ubuntu is the eighth and final vessel delivered through the NSRI’s modernisation of its Class 1 offshore rescue fleet.

The programme began with Alick Rennie, built in France and delivered to Station 5 Durban. The second ORC, Donna Nicholas, was partly manufactured in France and completed in Cape Town for Station 10 Simon’s Town. The third vessel, delivered to Station 17 Hermanus, was the first ORC built entirely in South Africa.

These were followed by vessels for Station 3 Table Bay, Station 19 Richards Bay, Station 6 Gqeberha and Station 4 Mykonos. With Spirit of Ubuntu now at Station 8 Hout Bay, eight strategically located rescue bases have modern ORCs capable of responding to demanding offshore emergencies.

Each vessel is 14.8 metres long, self-righting and purpose-built for rescue operations in extreme conditions. An ORC can operate up to 40 nautical miles directly offshore, has a range of approximately 200 miles and has an expected service life of approximately 40 years.

The fleet renewal programme has also supported South African boatbuilding expertise and employment, with six of the eight vessels built entirely in South Africa.

“Reaching the end of the ORC rebuild project, after years of research and development and eight builds from start to finish, brings a real sense of pride and confidence,” says NSRI CEO Mike Vonk. “Our Offshore Rescue Craft fleet is now in good stead to carry out safe rescues for the next 40 years.”

A new era for Hout Bay

Station 8 Hout Bay serves the greater Cape Town seaboard, an important maritime corridor where commercial shipping, fishing, tourism, recreational boating and coastal communities intersect with difficult and rapidly changing sea conditions.

The need for a more capable vessel was reinforced during a demanding operation in 2025, when severe South Atlantic conditions pushed Hout Bay’s ageing deep-sea rescue craft beyond its safe operational limits. The mission had to be handed over to Station 3 Table Bay, which was able to continue the response using an ORC of the same class as Spirit of Ubuntu.

The new vessel provides major advances in navigation, communications, search capability, endurance, crew safety and heavy-weather performance.

“Spirit of Ubuntu is a massive step up in safety and capability, ensuring that we can handle the harshest oceans to bring people home safely,” says Mike. “This upgrade significantly strengthens what we are capable of and our ability to protect and serve our community for years to come.”

The Hout Bay sea rescue base has also undergone extensive work to accommodate and support the new vessel. Final equipment integration, crew preparation and operational readiness work will continue before Spirit of Ubuntu enters full service.

The journey still needs support

Although Spirit of Ubuntu has reached her home station, the fundraising journey is not yet complete. The NSRI still needs donor and corporate support to close the remaining funding gap for the vessel and bring this once-in-a-generation project across the finish line.

Each ORC now costs approximately R26 million. As a donor-funded organisation, the NSRI depends overwhelmingly on individuals, companies and partners to provide the rescue craft, equipment, training and infrastructure needed to keep volunteer crews operational.

The name Spirit of Ubuntu reflects this shared effort. The vessel has been made possible by volunteers, donors, staff and partners who understand that saving lives is a responsibility carried by many.

Supporters may never meet the people whose lives the vessel will help save. Their contribution will nevertheless travel with the crew every time she launches.

Corporate partners still have the opportunity to join this lasting lifesaving legacy. Five South African companies have already come on board, including Italtile and Ceramic Foundation, Scamont Engineering and South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), supporting the NSRI by helping fund a rescue vessel expected to serve South Africa for the next four decades.

Companies and individuals interested in supporting the Spirit of Ubuntu can contact Brad Seaton-Smith, Head of Marketing and Business Development, at bradley@searescue.org.za or Business Development Managers Kgothatso Banoe Kgothatso@searescue.org.za and Dirk Coetzee dirk.coetzee@searescue.org.za

The Spirit of Ubuntu campaign brochure provides further information about partnership opportunities.
There is still time to come on board.

Photographs and video are available for media download on the NSRI’s Flickr page: https://flic.kr/s/aHsjy7pTHk