When a local paddler fell out of his surf-ski off Roman Rock yesterday, a quick-thinking Good Samaritan and our NSRI Simons Town crew stepped in, with an unexpected audience of five humpback whales.
At 11h24 on Tuesday, 25 August, our duty crew was activated after an NSRI SafeTrx alert indicated two surf-skiers in distress one nautical mile north of Roman Rock. A 73-year-old man had fallen out of his surf-ski when his leash broke, and his ski drifted off in strong winds.
A local paddler saw what happened, paddled over, and used a bungee cord to tow the unmanned surf-ski back to the casualty in the water. Together they activated their NSRI SafeTrx alerts and stayed afloat, waiting for help.
Our rescue craft, Donna Nicholas, launched and reached them in two-metre swells and 30-knot south-easterly winds. Two rescue swimmers were deployed, and the casualty was recovered onboard along with his surf-ski. He was treated for mild hypothermia but was not injured.
Throughout the operation, at least five humpback whales breached repeatedly around the rescue craft, causing no harm and no alarm.
The Good Samaritan carried on paddling safely to Fish Hoek Beach. NSRI commends him for his swift actions.
#NSRI #SeaRescue #SimonsTown #GoodSamaritan
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