“The NSRI becomes a lifestyle… we keep a bag in our vehicles, with towels, a change of clothes, crew uniform, and maybe a snack or two to ensure we are ready whenever we are needed. We leave our jobs, our families, any plans we’ve made when we receive a call-out.”
Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa ( 01 February 2021) – Melodie Herrmann, Station 20 (Shelly Beach) tells us about how she was inspired to join the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and what volunteering means to her.
“You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.” Sir Winston Churchill
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is a charity organization that saves lives on South African waters – both coastal and inland. The charity is staffed by volunteers who are on call, day and night throughout the year.
“We have rescue bases along the coast and on inland dams. Our goal is to prevent drowning through education, through preventative measures, and through rescue. Year after year, we update and improve on our skills and techniques, and we continuously investigate new technologies.”
Herrmann joined Station 20 (Shelly Beach) in January 2015, not knowing much at all but the passionate South African knew, for sure, that she had a huge love for the ocean and a great passion for people.
This is her story!
“On the table inside the base, I found the publication “For Those in Peril”, the cover featuring one single rescue vessel in the middle of the vast ocean, with nothing else in sight. I thought to myself, ‘Wow! Imagine you are out there, alone, afraid, with no help?’ I knew immediately that I wanted to be a part of this. I wanted to be a part of saving a life, making a difference, and giving back, in any way possible.”
Volunteers are on standby 24/7, and they are ready to respond whenever they are needed.
“This becomes a lifestyle… we keep a bag in our vehicles, with towels, a change of clothes, crew uniform, and maybe a snack or two to ensure we are ready whenever we are needed. We leave our jobs, our families, any plans we’ve made when we receive a call-out.”
We are the charity that saves lives on South African waters, the charity that changes lives and creates futures. NSRI has changed my life. With all the incredible training we receive either on base, from head office, or online, we’re taught to be the best at what we do. I have done things I never thought I would be capable of, learned more than I ever knew there was to learn, achieved so much within the organization, and have so many new friends. I know that all volunteers rely on one another; we have to as our own wellness and survival depends on this.”
Herrmann says that one of her proudest moments was receiving her NSRI trainee shirt after being at the station for about four months.
“I have been a qualified Sea Rescue crew member for some years now, but I still beam every time I put on my uniform on.
NSRI Head Office is filled with incredible people, all of whom share the same love we volunteers do. Their care, passion, and support are incredible, and I thank them all for that.
I also thank all our selfless donors, without whom none of this would be possible. Without you, we would not be able to save lives, change lives or create futures. We are forever in your debt and hope to make you proud.
In the end, there are no real words, nothing tangible, that I could use to really explain the feeling deep down inside of what it means to me to be an NSRI volunteer.”
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