An offshore tracking app sparked the rescue of three crew members who were stranded on a ‘dead boat’ out at sea!
Kleinmond, South Africa (28 July 2026) – Three local boaters are safe and back on solid land after a skipper used the NSRI’s SafeTrx app to raise the alarm when their vessel suffered a complete mechanical and electrical failure off the Kleinmond coast.
The small boat had launched from the Maasbaai public slipway on Sunday, 26 July, with three local crew members on board. Not long after setting off, the vessel experienced motor and electrical failure about eight nautical miles west of Kleinmond, leaving the crew stranded offshore.
With no other boats nearby to assist them, the crew relied on cellphone reception to call for help. Fortunately, the skipper had already downloaded the free NSRI SafeTrx app and activated its emergency function.
The alert was immediately received by the NSRI Emergency Operations Centre, which pinpointed the boat’s exact location and activated the NSRI Kleinmond duty crew.
According to NSRI Kleinmond duty coxswain Michael Markovina, the skipper confirmed that while the crew was not in immediate danger thanks to calm seas and light winds, they had no way of getting back to shore without assistance.
The NSRI rescue craft Spirit of Surfski II was launched from Station 42 in Kleinmond and headed to the scene. Once alongside the stranded vessel, two of the three crew members were transferred onto the rescue craft before a towline was secured.
The disabled boat was then safely towed back to the Maasbaai public slipway without incident, where it was recovered. No injuries were reported, and no further assistance was needed.
“The skipper of the vessel has been commended for using the NSRI SafeTrx app on his cellphone and for swiftly raising the alarm.” says Markovina.
This rescue is another reminder of how valuable the free app can be for anyone spending time on the water.
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SafeTrx works best as one layer of a broader safety plan. Ocean users are still encouraged to tell someone where they’re going, carry backup communication or signalling equipment where possible, and make sure they are properly prepared before heading out!
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