Edited by Bev Mortimer… A Basset dog that was being swept away by rip currents at Eersterivier beach in the Tsitsikamma area of the Western Cape, and that reached, some rocks was rescued by a local, former SA Navy diver.
Jaen Smit, NSRI Oyster Bay operation controller, recounts that said the volunteer duty crew responded to reports of a man and his dog being washed off rocks and were in difficulties in rip currents.
A local young couple with their dogs were at the beach when their Basset hound, excited to play with a flock of birds and with a school of dolphins in the sea,, launched into the sea and was caught in strong rip currents.
The dog managed to reach and clamber on some rocks. The NSRI Oyster Bay rescue craft JetRib was launched while NSRI rescue swimmers responded.
The dog owner and a local lady tried in vain to reach the dog. In addition, a local Good Samaritan, Simon Bekker, a former SA Navy diver, ran down to the beach, grabbed a canoe and paddled out to rescue the dog.
Simon reached the dog holding and comforting it until the dog owner reached them and the delighted owner carried this dog to the beach and safety.
The dog seemed to be be in good spirits and in no need of any further medical care.
