KEEPING SHARP
THE NSRI performed an ocean rescue training simulation in Hout Bay.
THE National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is ensuring its rescuers are sharp and able to deal with any situation they may encounter.
The NSRI conducted a routine training exercise in Hout Bay yesterday. NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said the routine exercises take place every weekend and sometimes during the week.
“NSRI regularly conducts routine training exercises around the country, and Sunday’s exercise at Hout Bay, involving NSRI Hout Bay, NSRI Bakoven and AGA helicopters, is part of that ongoing routine training.”
The non-profit organisation assists with coastal and inland distress calls, and relies solely on donations, sponsorships and volunteers. A real-life situation played itself out on Saturday when a fishing vessel caught alight in Gordon’s Bay Harbour. A man was rushed to hospital with serious burns.
NSRI Gordon’s Bay station commander Alan Meiklejohn said: “While it appears that the fire started during refuelling of the vessel, investigations by authorities will determine the cause of the fire.”
One of the organisation’s key focus areas is to prevent drownings.
In Struisbaai, two fishermen from Hout Bay and Noordhoek were fishing east of Struisbaai at about 8am on Saturday when their 5m inflatable boat capsized due to a wave.
The pair managed to fire three red distress flares, which were sighted by eye-witnesses on land and on a small fishing boat in the area, who alerted the NSRI. NSRI Agulhas station commander Reinard Geldenhuys said: “The two male casualties, aged 56 and 45, were transferred on to the sea-rescue craft and brought to the NSRI Agulhas sea rescue base. They were not injured.”