There’s a new lifesaver patrolling the waters off the Western Cape!
Cape Town, South Africa (13 November 2025) – The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has officially welcomed Film Industry Rescuer 3, a new rescue vessel funded by South Africa’s film industry.
The NSRI accepted their new rescuer into the fleet in a naming and blessing ceremony at Melkbosstrand on Sunday.
The bright orange JetRIB (it’s a combination of a jet ski hull and an inflatable rescue craft) is designed for fast rescues that occur close to shore. Its jet propulsion system makes it safer to manoeuvre through waves without the danger of propeller injuries when saving swimmers, surfers, or boaters in tough surf.
This isn’t the first time the film industry has stepped up for sea rescue.
Since 2017, it’s helped fund three NSRI rescue boats. The first two, Film Industry Rescuer One and Rescuer Two, have both been credited with saving lives.
“We would like to acknowledge the crucial role of the National Sea Rescue Institute,” said Rudi Riek, Chief Executive Officer of Film Industry Visa Assistance NPC. “The NSRI embodies courage, professionalism, and community service. Their lifesaving operations, whether at sea, along our rugged coastlines, or in protecting coastal livelihoods, reflect a national commitment to saving lives.”
The vessel was officially christened by Marna Riek, Rudi’s wife, and blessed by Pastor Barend Buys, who offered a prayer of thanks and protection for the Station 18 volunteer crew who’ll be taking Film Industry Rescuer 3 out on calls.
This new addition couldn’t have come at a better time for the Station 18 team. Their stretch of coastline, from Milnerton’s Lagoon Beach Hotel to Bokpunt, is one of the busiest in the Western Cape.
“Melkbosstrand Beach, a seven-kilometre-long Blue Flag beach, is a popular destination for surfers, swimmers, and boaters. The new JetRIB will play a vital role in swift, effective life saving operations in this high-activity area,” says Station Commander Rowan Marais.
Marais also shared his gratitude to SA’s film industry, which has played a huge role in saving lives, way beyond the screen.
“Station 18, Melkbosstrand, extends our sincere gratitude to the Film Industry for its ongoing partnership and commitment to community safety. This enduring collaboration reflects how collective effort and shared responsibility save lives, both on set and at sea,” says Marais.
The NSRI runs entirely on donations and volunteers, yet manages to safeguard SA’s vast coastline through training, education, and rescue missions. They’re true heroes of our seas.
Sources: Supplied
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:
Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 