At 12h58 on Thursday, 14 May, National Sea Rescue Institute Station 37 Jeffreys Bay were activated following reports of two men trapped on debris surrounding a downed tree in the middle of the Gamtoos River near Patensie in the Eastern Cape.
The initial alarm had been raised by a local farmer through NSRI St Francis Bay. Two NSRI St Francis Bay crew members, who work in the area, responded to investigate at Ventsterhoek Farm, where they located the two men stranded on a large downed tree surrounded by flood debris in the middle of the river. The men were separated from the riverbank by wide sections of fast-flowing water on both sides.
The NSRI crew returned to Patensie to obtain cellphone signal coverage and activated NSRI Jeffreys Bay, South African Police Service and additional emergency services.
At the time of the incident, NSRI St Francis Bay had already positioned their rescue craft, Rescue 21 Charlie, in Patensie earlier in the week as part of storm preparedness operations ahead of the recent severe weather conditions.
NSRI Jeffreys Bay rescue crews responded from the NSRI Station 37 rescue base, deploying rescue swimmers, a JetRIB and a CROC rescue craft — a small floating rescue platform designed for swift-water rescue operations.
Local farmers, SMHART Security and the South African Police Service also responded and assisted at the scene.
NSRI Jeffreys Bay crews joined NSRI St Francis Bay members in Patensie before proceeding to the river with rescue equipment and rescue craft. On arrival, rescuers assessed the situation and determined that the safest approach would be from upstream due to the strength of the river current.
The rescue CROC was launched upstream and tethered to shore using a mainline rope. Rescue swimmers then navigated the craft downstream through the fast-flowing water to reach the stranded men, who were positioned on the downed tree amid large amounts of flood debris that had accumulated during recent flooding.
Once alongside the tree, rescuers secured the two men in lifejackets and protective rescue gear while reassuring them. The rescue craft Rescue 21 Charlie was then launched, and the first man was safely transported across the river.
The second man was ferried to safety aboard the rescue CROC (floating stretcher), accompanied by the rescue swimmers.
It is believed the two local men had been stranded for several hours after being swept downstream while attempting to cross the river. They had managed to reach the tree and debris accumulation, where they remained trapped until rescued.
Rescuers described the operation as challenging due to the intensity of the river flow and hazardous flood conditions. Despite the difficult circumstances, both men were brought safely ashore without injury and required no further medical assistance.
NSRI has commended local farmers Retief and Janlo Ferreira, the South African Police Service, SMHART Security, and the coordinated efforts between NSRI St Francis Bay and NSRI Jeffreys Bay for their assistance during the operation.
