Spirit of Ubuntu comes home to Hout Bay

After years of research, design, local boatbuilding and fundraising, 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 Station 8 Hout Bay.

She is the eighth and final vessel delivered through the NSRI's renewal of its Class 1 offshore rescue fleet, a milestone more than eight years in the making.

For the Hout Bay crew, her timing could not be more fitting. In 2024, Station Commander Spencer Oldham and crew were responding to a call-out in Hout Bay's ageing rescue boat, a 10-metre Brede, the Nadine Gordimer, when a four- to five-metre swell began rolling them dangerously. Fearing the boat would broach and roll, Spencer made the difficult call to turn back, handing the rescue over to Station 3 Table Bay's ORC, DHL Deliverer. She reached the scene in 40 minutes and brought 20 survivors safely home. “It was quite a significant moment,” Spencer recalls.

Spirit of Ubuntu is the answer to that moment. “She's a game changer for us,” says Spencer. “The Breede-class boats we've operated for years are very good vessels for bad conditions, but not the worst conditions. Spirit of Ubuntu will let us get where we need to get, safer and faster. Our range is significantly increased. We could probably now range through to Hermanus or up to Mykonos.”

Bringing her round the Sentinel for the first time was a moment the whole station will remember. “It was humbling,” says Spencer. “To come round the Sentinel in good, clean seas and see what she can do, it was amazing, especially coming back into the base with a crew eagerly awaiting our arrival. It was a good day. It was a great day.”

The new vessel is 14.8 metres long, self-righting and purpose-built for South African conditions, able to operate up to 40 nautical miles offshore with a range of approximately 200 nautical miles and an expected service life of around 40 years. Six of the NSRI's eight new ORCs, including Spirit of Ubuntu, were built entirely in South Africa, supporting local boatbuilding skills and jobs.

“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 Chief Executive Officer Mike Vonk. “Our Offshore Rescue Craft fleet is now in good stead to carry out safe rescues for the next 40 years.”

Mike also points to the meaning behind her name. “Ubuntu is an African and South African philosophy of community and collaboration, of doing something bigger than any one person,” he says. “Spirit of Ubuntu gives a company the chance to become part of that community. Through a donation, a company can become part of a vessel that will serve our coastline and our communities for generations to come.”

The journey still needs support

Although Spirit of Ubuntu has reached her home station, the fundraising journey is not yet complete. Each ORC costs approximately R26 million, and as a donor-funded organisation, the NSRI depends on individuals, companies and partners to close the remaining gap and bring this once-in-a-generation project across the finish line. Five South African companies have already come on board, including Italtile and Ceramic Foundation, Scamont Engineering and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).

“A huge thank you to the companies and people who made this possible,” says Spencer. “It's humbling to understand the cost of these vessels, and it's money well spent. It keeps our crew safer and lets us do what we need to do, further and in safer conditions, for another 40 years.”

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.