Key Takeaways
- The NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew responded to two separate incidents on Monday, 22 December, involving a capsized boat and two kayakers in distress.
- Six people, including two adults and four teenagers, were rescued from the water after their boat capsized in the Keurbooms River Mouth.
- Two male teenagers suffered injuries and were transported to hospital for further medical care.
- The NSRI is appealing to paddlers, boaters, and sailors to download and use the NSRI SafeTRX smartphone application to enhance safety at sea.
- The swift response of the NSRI crew and private boats in the area helped to prevent a potentially disastrous outcome.
Introduction to the Incidents
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Plettenberg Bay duty crew had a busy day on Monday, 22 December, responding to two separate incidents involving watercraft in distress. The first incident occurred at 08h00, when two kayakers on a double kayak were spotted offshore of Plettenberg Bay, waving towards the shore and appearing to be in distress. The NSRI crew responded quickly, launching the rescue craft Rescue Ray from the NSRI Plettenberg Bay station 14 rescue base. The shore crew observed a kayaker heading towards them, and the rescue craft reached the casualties, taking both adult male kayakers onboard and rigging a towline to their double kayak.
The Capsized Boat Incident
Later that day, at 16h17, the NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew were activated again, this time following eyewitness reports of a boat capsized in the Keurbooms River Mouth with six people in the water. The NSRI crew responded rapidly, launching the rescue craft Rescue Ray, Eric Stratford, and Farnham Rescuer from the NSRI Plettenberg Bay station 14 rescue base. Three private boats, belonging to and helmed by NSRI crew, which were in the Keurbooms Lagoon at the time, also responded to the scene. On arrival, the private boats assisted the NSRI crew in rescuing the six casualties, all males, including two adults and four teenagers, from the water and bringing them safely to shore.
Medical Assessment and Aftermath
The casualties were medically assessed by NSRI medics and an NSRI doctor, and two of the male teenagers were found to have suffered injuries. They were transported to hospital for further medical care. The casualty boat, a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB), was towed to the Keurbooms Lagoon caravan park, righted using an NSRI rescue craft, and recovered onto her trailer using a Keurbooms Lagoon caravan park tractor. It appears that the boat was capsized by waves while entering the Keurbooms River Mouth. The swift response of the NSRI crew and private boats in the area helped to prevent a potentially disastrous outcome.
The Importance of Safety at Sea
The NSRI is emphasizing the importance of safety at sea, particularly during the holiday season when many people are enjoying water activities. The organization is appealing to paddlers, boaters, and sailors to download and use the NSRI SafeTRX smartphone application, which can help to enhance safety at sea. The application allows users to log their voyages and provide Regular Position Reports (RPRs) to the NSRI, making it easier for the organization to respond quickly and effectively in the event of an emergency. By taking this simple step, water enthusiasts can help to ensure their safety and the safety of those around them.
Conclusion
The NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew responded rapidly and effectively to two separate incidents on Monday, 22 December, involving a capsized boat and two kayakers in distress. The swift response of the NSRI crew and private boats in the area helped to prevent a potentially disastrous outcome, and the organization is emphasizing the importance of safety at sea. By downloading and using the NSRI SafeTRX smartphone application, paddlers, boaters, and sailors can help to enhance their safety and the safety of those around them. The NSRI is committed to providing a safe and effective rescue service, and the organization is urging everyone to take the necessary precautions to ensure their safety while enjoying water activities.