Across Oceans, Rescue Volunteers United in Tribute and Remembrance

Photo Credit: NSRI

South Africa’s NSRI will join rescue organisations worldwide in honouring two Australian volunteers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

South Africa (11 May 2026) – On Monday, 15 June, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) will lower its flag at the Volunteer Support Centre in Milnerton to half-mast in honour of two Australian rescue volunteers, Bill Ewen and Frank Petsch, who lost their lives while answering a call for help.

The gesture may take place thousands of kilometres from where the tragedy occurred, but it speaks to something universal among rescue volunteers everywhere: a commitment to helping strangers when they need it most.

Bill Ewen, 78, and Frank Petsch, 62, were among six volunteers from Marine Rescue NSW who launched in challenging conditions on 4 May 2026 to assist a yacht in distress near the South Ballina breakwall in New South Wales, Australia. Their rescue vessel capsized while crossing the Ballina Bar in heavy seas. Four crew members survived.

Their loss has been deeply felt throughout the international maritime search and rescue community.

The tribute follows a call from the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF), which invited rescue organisations around the world to lower their flags to half-mast on the day of Bill Ewen’s funeral. As a member of the federation, the NSRI will join that collective show of respect, with several rescue stations across South Africa also participating.

For NSRI CEO Mike Vonk, the tribute is about recognising two men who embodied the very best of volunteer service.

“The passing of Bill and Frank is a profound loss to their families and loved ones, their Marine Rescue Ballina colleagues, and the global SAR community. They answered the call to help a stranger, and they gave everything. We lower our flag in their honour.”

While Monday’s tribute is dedicated to Bill and Frank, it also shines a light on the thousands of rescue volunteers around the world who quietly dedicate their time, energy and skills to helping others.

Many spend countless hours training, maintaining equipment and remaining on standby, ready to leave family dinners, celebrations or much-needed rest behind when an emergency call comes through.

As Vonk explains:

“Our volunteers give up enormous amounts of time away from their families and loved ones to train, maintain their equipment, and be ready when people they have never met need them most. This tribute is for Bill and Frank, but it is also for every NSRI volunteer, and every South African rescue volunteer, who puts others before themselves. We are deeply grateful to them and to their families.”

In a world that can often feel divided, moments like this remind us that compassion knows no borders. From the shores of South Africa to the coastlines of Australia, the instinct to help a stranger remains one of humanity’s most enduring acts of kindness.