In a matter of days, South Africa’s coastline reminded us how quickly things can change at sea… and how vital it is to have rescuers always ready.
South Africa (24 December 2025) – Over the past few days, as beaches filled, boats launched and holidaymakers made the most of summer, multiple rescue operations unfolded quietly and professionally along our shores.
That consistency, across provinces and conditions, is exactly why the work of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) matters so deeply.
The NSRI is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organisation dedicated to saving lives on South African waters. Day or night, in calm seas or rough conditions, its crews respond to emergencies involving swimmers, paddlers, boaters and seafarers. Funded largely by donations and staffed by highly trained volunteers, they operate on one simple principle: when someone needs help at sea, they go.
And in the last few days, they went often.
Friday, 19 December 2025 – Mossel Bay
NSRI Mossel Bay was activated after reports of a drowning in progress at Diaz Beach.
“At 19h29, Friday, 19 December, NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress at Diaz Beach, Mossel Bay,” Andre Fraser, NSRI Mossel Bay operations controller, said.
On arrival, crews found that a 30-year-old woman from Kimberley and a 12-year-old from Bloemhof had already been pulled from the water by bystanders. Both were suffering non-fatal drowning symptoms.
“The bystander Good Samaritan rescuers and bystanders on the scene are commended for their efforts that contributed to saving the lives of the adult lady and the male child,” Fraser added.
Earlier that evening, Mossel Bay crews had also assisted a local catamaran experiencing mechanical steering failure near the harbour, guiding the vessel safely to a mooring without incident.
Saturday, 20 December 2025 – Durban and Ballito
In Durban, NSRI crews completed a complex medical evacuation involving a crude oil tanker en route from China to Brazil.
Etienne van Zyl, NSRI Durban station commander, explained, “On Friday, 19 December, at 17h30, NSRI Durban duty controllers were alerted… to a request for a medical evacuation of an ill seafarer onboard a crude oil tanker motor vessel.”
After extensive coordination, the rescue craft rendezvoused with the tanker offshore on Saturday afternoon. A 22-year-old Indian seafarer was safely transferred via the vessel’s pilot ladder and transported to hospital in a stable condition.
Later that same day, Durban crews also assisted a small skivee boat with mechanical failure, taking over a tow from a local vessel and bringing two men safely back to shore.
“The skipper and crew of the local boat ‘1 More’ are commended for their assistance,” Van Zyl said.
Meanwhile, on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, NSRI Ballito responded to a SafeTRX emergency alert from a jet-ski skipper.
“At 06h04, Saturday, 20 December, NSRI Ballito were alerted… of a SafeTrx emergency alert activation from a local jet-ski skipper,” Mike Bishop, NSRI Ballito station commander, said.
The jet-ski had suffered battery failure. NSRI crews located the skipper using GPS coordinates, established a tow and returned him and his craft safely to shore with the help of local ski-boat club members.
Monday, 22 December 2025 – Plettenberg Bay and Mossel Bay
In Plettenberg Bay, NSRI crews were activated twice in one day.
“At 16h17, Monday, 22 December, NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a boat capsized in the Keurbooms River Mouth with six persons observed to be in the water,” Ross Badenhorst, NSRI Plettenberg Bay deputy station commander, explained.
Three NSRI rescue craft and nearby private boats helmed by NSRI crew responded. All six casualties, two adults and four teenagers, were rescued from the water and brought safely to shore. Two injured teenagers were transported to hospital.
“The swift response is commended,” Badenhorst said.
Earlier that morning, Plettenberg Bay crews had assisted two kayakers in distress offshore near Central Beach.
“They were waving towards shore and on observation there appeared to be no paddles onboard,” Badenhorst explained.
The men were taken onboard the rescue craft and their swamped kayak was towed to safety. Neither required medical assistance.
That same day in Mossel Bay, NSRI carried out another medical evacuation from a bulk carrier.
“At 06h40, Monday, 22 December, NSRI were alerted to a possible pending medical evacuation of a seafarer from a bulk carrier motor vessel,” Herman Venter, NSRI Mossel Bay duty coxswain, stated.
The 32-year-old seafarer was safely transferred from the vessel and transported to hospital in a stable condition after a carefully coordinated operation involving multiple emergency services.
Across four days, from beaches to busy shipping lanes, these rescues shared a common outcome: people made it home safely. Sadly, not all stories end with good news, and there have already been a few tragedies this festive season.
We are thankful for the work the NSRI does.
We are grateful for their trained volunteers, for the time they take to look after us, for the clear coordination and communities stepping in to help one another. Along South Africa’s coastline, that quiet readiness continues to save lives, one callout at a time.
For more up-to-date stories of the important work the NSRI does, please visit www.nsri.org.za.
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