History of NSRI Rescue Station 15
In June 1969, LieutenantCommander Alan Hollman (chief executive officer of the National Sea Rescue Institute) carried out a survey of the south and east coasts of South Africa to assess where rescue stations were needed.
He also wanted to find out which rescue crafts would suit their needs based on the possible operations in the areas; where the crafts could be kept; launched from; and the availability of serving crew.
One of the concerns in Mossel Bay was finding available people to man the station.
After the discovery of natural offshore gases this resolved itself, thus Mossel Bay was recommended as a base for the NSRI.
The local community embraced this opportunity to help reach their goal of being “a vibrant, safe and prosperous coastal town”.
Early stages of Station 15
In March 1970, Station 15’s first rescue craft arrived while the building of the boat house in the Mossel Bay harbour was taking place.
The most appropriate place in the harbour was owned by the National Port Authority, an affiliate to Transnet.
After negotiations it was determined that this property would initially be made available to the NSRI for free.
The boat shed was then built next to the slipway.
A pop-up door was supplied by the Rotary Club, bricks were supplied by the Prince Vincent Company and a local builder, Frans Smit, provided the labour.
Station 15’s first rescue craft was a 16-foot mono hull with two 40 horsepower outboard motors. The craft was called Excalibur and had been in service at Station 2, Bakoven, before its arrival in Mossel Bay.
During March 1970, the Mossel Bay Advertiser put in a public request for sponsors of essential equipment such as a compass, an anchor, searchlights, ropes, first aid equipment, flippers, crutches, fenders, navigation lights, winch and winch wire, a leading block and building material.
Station 15 was granted five diving suits for the crew.
The Cape St Blaize Lighthouse in Mossel Bay played a crucial role in the early functioning of Station 15.
When a rescue boat was required to assist any person or boat in need, the lighthouse keeper would contact the NSRI station commander, who then would contact the duty coxswain.
The crew, who had access to telephones, were phoned and those who did not, had to be personally informed by the coxswain.
The lighthouse keeper and control room controlled the rescue operations from the lighthouse.
Because there were limited radio communication systems available to Station 15, the communication between the station and its boat and crew were problematic. The first radio the station used was a sailor set with restricted range.
Read more next week.