A new chapter for Station 46 Storms River

There is a particular kind of excitement that comes with new beginnings – the mix of pride in how far one has come, and the quiet anticipation of what lies ahead.

For Station 46 at Storms River, now officially recognised as an independent NSRI station, that feeling carries even more weight this year. The station has just been honoured with a SANParks Kudu Award – a recognition that underscores the impact of its work within Tsitsikamma National Park. The award commends Station 46’s “outstanding contribution to public safety and conservation through a unique and integrated partnership with Tsitsikamma National Park,” highlighting the transformative power of collaboration in safeguarding both people and the environment.

For Station Commander Charles Hutchins, the moment is deeply meaningful. “I think it’s awesome news for us. It’s great that the work and training that we’ve done have been acknowledged. And I think it gives us a lot more scope with the internal decision-making. And we can now build our own history and legacy for Station 46. And I think that’s the awesome part of it.”

That sense of ownership, a legacy now truly their own, is central to the shift. Yet Charles is quick to note that independence does not suddenly rewrite the rhythm of their daily work. “I don’t think the independence has significantly changed anything as such. I think we were well mentored by our sister station in Oyster Bay, and it now gives us a chance to build and improve on our own base.”

“However,” Charles adds, “being independent will now allow for more local crew-based decision-making, and I think we’ll also have better access to resources.”

For six years, Station 46 has operated from a trailer – a fact that surprises many, given the scale of the terrain they cover and the number of visitors drawn to the Storms River Mouth each year. Their next big milestone, they hope, will be securing a more permanent home.

“We haven’t quite got a new base yet,” Charles explains. “We’re busy negotiating and are waiting for confirmation from SANParks for the use of one of their two boathouses.” Charles adds that if they get the go-ahead, “it’s going to be awesome because that’s going to give us a building and a base, which our crew can call home. It’s home away from home.”

Location, however, is already on their side. With the station now positioned at the river mouth inside the national park, response times have dramatically improved. “We are a lot closer in proximity to the high-risk areas, and we’ve now got access to a slipway in the park itself. So we’re able to respond almost immediately,” Charles says.

Their collaboration with SANParks remains a cornerstone of their efficiency. “They have the skills and the local knowledge… So they readily help us when we do need assistance.”

Training and equipment remain major priorities for the year ahead. The rugged coastline makes surf training difficult, so the crew continue to rely on Oyster Bay and Plettenberg Bay to build these skills. They hope to acquire a rescue mobile soon to improve land-based callouts across the extensive and often rough territory they cover. “It will aid us greatly in our callout efficiency,” Charles notes.

As the station finds its feet, one theme stands out above the rest: community. “As the saying goes, a station without community is like a vessel without water,” Charles reflects. He hopes to draw local families and businesses even closer, particularly through youth programmes. “The youth that we train today are the chaps that are going to be saving lives in the next 3, 4, 5 years.”

Independence marks the start of a new chapter – one defined by pride, perseverance and a renewed sense of possibility. With the SANParks Kudu Award now added to their growing story, the station steps into this next phase with both recognition and momentum. For Station 46, the story is only just beginning, and the community around them will play a crucial role in shaping its next chapters.