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Durban offshore search underway after seven stowaways go overboard from container ship, six rescued while NSRI launches night operation for one missing man
NSRI Durban duty controllers were alerted Monday by a ship’s agent to a bulk cargo motor vessel requesting a medical evacuation scheduled for approximately 05h30 on Wednesday morning of a 32 year old male, from the Philippines, suffering an Injury sustained onboard the vessel.
NSRI teams across Durban, Richards Bay, and Gqeberha successfully executed three high-stakes medical evacuations this week, including a dramatic helicopter hoist in rough seas and two offshore vessel-to-vessel transfers.
At 13h45 on Saturday, 10 January, NSRI Durban duty controllers were alerted by a ship’s agent to an American-flagged heavy-lift motor vessel requesting a medical evacuation of a 58-year-old male Chief Engineer suffering from a cardiac condition.
At 17h35 on Friday, 2 January, NSRI Durban duty crew were alerted by MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) to prepare for a medical evacuation operation expected to take place at approximately 14h00 on Sunday afternoon. The operation involved a 24-year-old Indian male seafarer suffering a medical complaint onboard a container motor vessel approaching Durban from Mozambique.
Police Search and Rescue and Metro Police Search and Rescue, assisted by eThekwini lifeguards, are continuing ongoing search efforts for a missing man at Durban South Beach.
Etienne van Zyl, NSRI Durban station commander, said: On Friday, 19 December, at 17h30, NSRI Durban duty controllers were alerted by NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) to a request, in cooperation with MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre), for a medical evacuation of a ill seafarer onboard a crude oil tanker motor vessel.
Etienne van Zyl, NSRI Durban station commander, said: At 15h47, Wednesday, 17 December, NSRI Durban, NSRI Ballito and NSRI Umhlanga duty crews were activated following a request for assistance from eThekwini lifeguards, on the KZN Surf Rescue Network, at Umdloti Main Beach, North of Durban, where lifeguards were searching for a 17 year old male teenager (believed to be a local) who had gone missing in the water after the lifeguards had rescued 2 bathers, both males, ages 18 and 19, from the water, after all 3 bathers had got into difficulties in the surf zone - offshore of the Umdloti tidal pool.
For nearly six decades, the NSRI has stood as a symbol of South Africans helping South Africans, powered by ordinary people who volunteer their time and risk their lives to save others.
Johann van Deventer, NSRI Durban duty coxswain, said: At 07h23, Friday, 10 October, our NSRI Durban duty controller and NSRI Durban duty crew were alerted to prepare for a medical evacuation operation expected to take place in the early hours of Saturday morning, for a 26 year old Indian male seafarer, suffering a medical complaint on an oil tanker motor vessel, approaching Durban from deep sea.
Jacques Kruger, NSRI Durban duty coxswain, said: At 17h13, Sunday, 21 September, NSRI Durban duty crew were activated following reports from TNPA (Transnet National ports Authority) Port of Durban Port Control of a ski-boat capsized offshore of Maydon Wharf with casualty crew reported to be in the water.
GQEBERHA: Jonathan Tufts, NSRI Gqeberha deputy station commander, said: on Friday, 12 September, at around 22h30, NSRI Gqeberha duty crew were placed on alert to prepare for a medical evacuation operation, on Saturday morning, for a 29 year old Filipino male seafarer suffering an injury on a motor vessel heading towards Gqeberha from deep sea.
Etienne van Zyl, NSRI Durban station commander, said: On Sunday evening, 31 August, at approximately 18h00, NSRI Durban were alerted by TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Port of Durban Port Control reporting a 14 meter monohull sailing yacht, crewed by an American husband and wife, requiring assistance, who had been at sea for the past 39 days sailing from last Port of call, Bali.
Clifford Ireland, NSRI Durban duty coxswain, said: At 08h30, Wednesday, 20 August, NSRI Durban duty crew and Red Line Response ambulance services were placed on alert by MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) to prepare for a medical evacuation operation of a 41 year old Chinese male seafarer who had suffered a serious injury on a 189 meter motor vessel bulk carrier that was, at the time, headed towards Durban from deep sea.
During late Friday night, 12 September, Metro Police Search and Rescue, the SA Police Services and local security attended at Bay of Plenty Beach, Durban, where the body of a man was located and recovered.
DURBAN: In 2 separate incidents - 4 local fishermen were assisted on Saturday after their boat suffered motor mechanical failure and a seafarer with a medical condition has been transported to hospital following a medical evacuation at sea on Friday:
Police Search and Rescue, assisted by Metro Police Search and Rescue, are continuing in an ongoing search for a male teenager that was reported to be missing at Wedge Beach, Durban, on Friday.
PORT ALFRED: Gerrit Cloete, NSRI Port Alfred station commander, said:
MOSSEL BAY: Andre Fraser, NSRI Mossel Bay duty coxswain said:
WILDERNESS: Ian Gerber, NSRI Wilderness duty coxswain, said: At 15h38, Friday, 27 June, NSRI Wilderness duty crew were activated following a request for assistance from a local mom reporting her 2 children and their grandfather trapped by the Spring high tide on rocks at Flat Rock, Wilderness.
A seafarer suffering a medical emergency evacuated at sea to hospital.
DURBAN: 2 fishermen on fishing kayaks have been rescued after getting into difficulties.
DURBAN: Lorenzo Taverna-Turisan, NSRI Durban coxswain, said:
DURBAN: Clifford Ireland, NSRI Durban duty coxswain, said: At 10H18, Wednesday, 05 March, NSRI Durban duty crew were placed on alert to prepare for the medical evacuation of an Norwegian seaman, age 48, suffering a medical complaint on board a Chemical Tanker, that was due to arrive offshore of the Port of Durban at 08H00, the following morning.
Police are continuing in an ongoing search for a missing 26 year old man along the Durban beachfront.
NSRI, lifeguards, Police and the emergency services have attended to multiple rescue operations over the past weeks, including sadly an increase in drowning accidents around the coastline and on inland waters.
Station 5 Durban has distinguished itself over the past five years with its exceptional record of conducting over a hundred successful medical evacuations.
Coastal Incidents This Week: Multiple Medical Evacuations and Drowning Tragedies in Richards Bay, Durban, and Gqeberha
SAFETY ALERT: NSRI and the emergency services are appealing to the public to take caution around the coastline as storm seas, coupled with the new moon Spring tide that peaks on Tuesday, the 3rd September, will contribute to dangerous sea conditions around the South African coastline. Spring tide and rough seas (caused by recent cold fronts and deep sea storms) may cause stronger than normal rip currents. Some areas around the coast may be cut off from mainland during the Spring high tide. Paddlers, boaters, sailors, bathers, coastal hikers and shoreline anglers are urged to heed to extreme caution during this Spring tide phase that will reduce in intensity towards the end of the first week of September.
Roy Wienand, NSRI Durban station commander, said: At 17h00, Tuesday, 16 July, NSRI Durban duty crew and Netcare 911 ambulance services, were alerted to prepare our NSRI rescue craft, MEX (Maritime Extrication) crew and Netcare 911 rescue paramedics, following a request for a patient to be medically evacuated from a 260 meter motor vessel gas tanker expected to arrive offshore of Durban at 23h00.
Clifford Ireland, NSRI Durban duty coxswain, said: At approximately 09h00, Saturday, 13 July, NSRI Durban received notification of a pending medical evacuation due to be carried out from a bulk carrier motor vessel that heading towards Durban from deep sea.
3 July, NSRI Durban duty crew and Netcare 911 ambulance services were activated by NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) following a request from MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) to evacuate a 25 year old male Filipino seafarer with a medical complaint from a bulk carrier motor vessel 18 nautical miles offshore of the Port of Durban.
Severe flooding in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape since June 1, 2024, has caused extensive damage and loss of life. The NSRI has been pivotal in rescue operations, saving numerous lives.
At 08h16, Tuesday, 11 June, NSRI Rocky Bay, an NSRI lifeguard, an NSRI Durban crewman, the SA Police Services, Police Search and Rescue, Netcare 911 ambulance, eThekwini Fire and Rescue Services, KwaZulu EMRS (Emergency Medical and Rescue Services), Metro Search and Rescue and the KZN surf lifesaving network were activated by eThekwini surf lifeguards, on duty at Umgababa Main Beach, reporting a boat (a 5.5 meter RHIB – rigid hull inflatable boat), a commercial fishing vessel, capsized at the backline surf zone at Umgababa Main Beach, between Scottburgh and Amanzimtoti – KZN South Coast.
On Monday, 3 June, NSRI Durban assisted the emergency services during the heavy storm that rapidly moved over Durban.
NSRI Mykonos duty crew launched the NSRI Mykonos rescue craft Spirit of Vodacom to rendezvous with a container motor vessel to medically evacuate a seafarer suffering an injury.
4 sailing yacht crew rescued after their sailing yacht started to take on water after reportedly colliding with a container at sea - they were returning to Durban from East London following the completion of the Vasco da Gama Ocean Race 2024 - Durban to East London:
NSRI Durban duty crew, accompanied by Netcare 911 rescue technicians, launched the NSRI Durban rescue craft Alec Rennie to rendezvous with a motor vessel to patient evacuate a 56 year old Russian seaman suffering a medical condition.
Gary Wolmerans, NSRI Shelly Beach station commander, said: At 10h38, Sunday, 24 March, NSRI Shelly Beach duty crew were activated following reports of 4 scuba divers missing in the vicinity of Protea Banks, Southern Pinnacle, just over 4 nautical miles off-shore of Margate, KZN South Coast.
What started out as a tranquil cruise one Saturday morning in December, turned into a nightmare for 21 passengers when the charter boat they were aboard struck a reef. Thankfully, the mass rescue effort was “a huge success”.
NSRI Durban duty crew launched the NSRI Durban rescue craft Spirit of Surfski 6 to assist a dismasted sailing yacht into Port.
Police are investigating a case at the Hermanus old harbour where clothing, a cellphone and other items were discovered on the shore.
Paul Bevis, NSRI Durban duty commander, said: At 16h56, Tuesday, 2 January, an NSRI Durban swift water rescue team was activated to assist Police Search and Rescue at an incident on the Umgeni River, KwaDabeka, at the Midway Crossing Bridge, near to F Section, where 2 locals, a male and a female, were trapped inside their vehicle in the fast-flowing river.
At 10h00, Saturday, 23 December, NSRI Durban duty crew were activated following reports of a charter vessel, initially reported as having 12 passengers and 3 local crew, run aground on a reef just offshore of Vetchies Beach, Durban.
There were multiple incidents across South Africa.
Roy Wienand, NSRI Durban station commander, said: At 17h06, Thursday, 16 November, NSRI Durban Station 5 duty crew and Netcare 911 ambulance services were activated to prepare to launch to respond to a bulk carrier motor vessel off-shore of the Port of Durban to patient evacuate 2 seamen onboard who were critically injured.
A man has gone missing at sea after a yacht was located by a tanker where a 57-year-old man from Cape Town reported his brother had gone overboard in rough seas that morning.
As KZN once again prepared itself for heavy rains towards the end of June, the first flash floods saw a 51-year-old Pinetown man swept away in his car, narrowly escaping death by climbing a tree.
At 20h32, Tuesday, 27 June, NSRI Durban duty crew were activated following reports from S.T.A.R.T. (Specialised Tactical Accident Rescue Team) who were responding to a man stuck in a tree on the Umbilo River, near to Heaton Nicholls Drive, Pinetown.
At 11h26, Friday, 2 June, NSRI Lamberts Bay duty crew were alerted to Pygmy Sperm whale beached at Lamberts Bay Beach inside of the small breakwater. Also, On Friday, 2 June, NSRI Mykonos duty controllers were informed of 5 surf-skiers launching on a down wind paddle in Saldanha Bay and would be using the NSRI SafeTrx smart phone application during the paddle. Lastly, At 08h14, Sunday, 4 June, NSRI Durban duty crew were activated by NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) following eye-witness reports of a surf-skier in distress in the surf line at Virginia Beach.
In Strand: NSRI Gordon's Bay responds to kite surfer in difficulty and two lives saved when a boat capsizes. Also at Shelly Beach: a local dive charter boat with steering mechanical failure assisted. Additionally, at Clifton: NSRI Bakoven and NSRI Table Bay responded to a drowning in progress. Furthermore in Hermanus: successful rescues at dangerous estuary mouth breach at the Klein River Lagoon. Lastly, in Durban: Vasco Da Gama Ocean race 23 - yacht Anna Wardley assisted.
DURBAN Jonathan Kellerman, NSRI Durban station commander, said: A ship medical evacuation and a medical emergency on a beach. At 08h00, Sunday 16 April, NSRI Durban duty crew gathered at NSRI Durban rescue station in response to an earlier request ...
NSRI Wilderness and George Fire and Rescue Services are assisting the Police Dive Unit continuing in an ongoing search for an 18 year old student male who remains missing at Wilderness. Also, A 70 year old German tourist is recovering in hospital following a paragliding accident on Thursday, 9 March. Southern Cape Tourism are assisting the man and his wife. Additionally, On Saturday, 11 March, at 11h48, NSRI Wilderness and the Police Dive Unit responded to Lake Pleasant, Sedgefield following a request for assistance from 2 rowing boats with 5 children, 2 adults and a dog on board. And An East London adult man was safely rescued off-shore of Bantry Bay on Saturday, 11 March. Lastly, At 11h35, Saturday, 11 March, NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) received an NSRI RSA SafeTrax activation indicating a double paddleski suffering rudder failure off shore of Cooper Lighthouse about 6 nautical miles South of Durban.
At 08h44, Monday, 20 February, NSRI Gordons Bay, NSRI Kleinmond, NSRI Strandfontein and NSRI Simonstown were activated. Also, at 20h08, Monday, 20 February, The KZN Surf Rescue Network were alerted to reports of a drowning in progress at Umhlanga
SOUTH COAST KZN – Wednesday, 21 December. 2 missing divers found safe: Gary Wolmerans, NSRI Shelly Beach station commander, said: At 13h20, Wednesday, 21 December, NSRI Shelly Beach duty crew were activated after a local boat, with a crewman of the boat onboard, arrived at Ramsgate reporting that 2 divers, a local father and son, who had been diving from the boat, were missing and were last known to be diving in the vicinity of 7nm off Ramsgate and were adrift in their wet suits and scuba dive gear.