When a walk at Pollock Beach in Gqeberha took a heart-stopping turn, a dedicated team of heroes and local bystanders proved just how far they’ll go to bring a beloved pup back to dry land.
Gqeberha, South Africa (17 August 2026) – The heroes who make up the NSRI are known and appreciated for heeding the call to save lives in unpredictable waters – a dedication one fortunate doggo recently experienced firsthand after being swept offshore at Pollock Beach in Gqeberha.
At 2:52 pm on Saturday afternoon, the NSRI Gqeberha duty crew was conducting routine training at the station when the NSRI Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) alerted them to a dog in distress. A rescue craft was immediately launched alongside responding Coastal Water Rescue (CWR) swimmers.
According to Simon Williams, deputy station commander for NSRI Gqeberha, reports indicated that the dog had been swept at least 200 meters out to sea. Local lifeguards had also launched from Pollock Beach to assist, while a bystander entered the water on a Malibu rescue board in an effort to reach the animal.
“On the NSRI rescue craft arriving on the scene, half a kilometre offshore, an NSRI rescue swimmer was deployed into the water and was able to secure the dog that was rescued onto our NSRI rescue craft,” Williams explained.
The dog, showing signs of hypothermia, was wrapped in blankets and warmed by an NSRI rescue swimmer before being transported safely to the NSRI Gqeberha Station 6 rescue base, where warming procedures continued.
“The dog collar showed a contact number that was called, reaching the dog’s owners. They arrived at our rescue base where, in an emotional reunion, they were reunited with their dog.”
According to his rescuers, the dog, a male Australian Shepherd named Bean, had broken free from his leash while on an afternoon beach walk. As his owners and bystanders tried to retrieve him, he plunged into the ocean, where strong rip currents caught him and swept him out to sea.
However, once safely home, Bean enjoyed a warm shower and is now resting comfortably in the care of his family.
Thanks go out to every brave rescuer who acted so quickly to bring Bean safely home.
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