Fishermen and NSRI rescuers worked together to free a humpback whale trapped in ropes off Cape Recife; a powerful story of teamwork at sea.
Gqeberha, South Africa (04 September 2025) – On Tuesday morning, word spread quickly across Gqeberha’s NSRI station: a humpback was in trouble. Trapped in ropes off Cape Recife, it was tethered to the seabed, fighting for space to breathe.
The call had come from the fishing vessel Louisa-Claire, whose crew refused to leave the whale’s side. Guided by them, NSRI rescue craft Bay Guardian and Eddie Beaumont II sped into open water with SAWDN-trained volunteers and specialised gear on board.
The scene was extraordinary: the entangled whale circling in distress, a companion close by, three other humpbacks complicating manoeuvres, and even a curious seal. Hours later, five orcas appeared, before being chased off by the humpbacks themselves, as though nature had decided to lend its hand.
For the rescuers, it was a battle of patience and courage. Ropes cut into the whale’s fluke and tail stalk. Cutting poles snapped, knives were lost, but persistence held. Piece by piece, the team worked until the final anchor line gave way.
And then, freedom. The whale vanished beneath the waves with its companions, leaving the rescuers with salt spray, silence, and a swell of relief.
Kevin Warren, NSRI coxswain, said the whale appeared strong and healthy throughout: “We are confident of the success of this SAWDN disentanglement operation.”
He further commended the Louisa-Claire crew for raising the alarm and guiding the team.
“They played a vital role that contributed to the whale being saved.”
Thanks to teamwork at sea, fishermen, rescuers, and a network of people and whales alike, the ocean was given back one of its giants.
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Teams include:
- National Sea Rescue Institute,
- Telkom Maritime Radio Services,
- KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board,
- Department of Environmental Affairs,
- Centre for Sustainable Oceans at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology,
- Cape Nature,
- Mammal Research Institute, South African National Parks,
- South African Police Service,
- Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries,
- Bayworld,
- various Boat Based Whale Watching and Shark Cage Diving Operators,
- the Rock Lobster Industry and the Octopus Industry
- and fully supported by the Dolphin Action and Protection Group.
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