The respective coastal NSRI stations responded to call-outs in Durban, Melkbosstrand, Camps Bay, Simonstown and Kommetjie on 6 January 2013. Details are as follows:
DURBAN
Numerous incidents
At 6.05 pm NSRI Durban volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning at Inanda Dam.
At the scene a man, believed to be aged in his thirties had gone missing after a water skiing trip. While water skiing the group of friends had stopped in their ski-boat to take an afternoon swim.
The man had disappeared in the water while swimming. The group tried in vain to find him and raised the alarm. Despite an extensive search by the NSRI no sign of the man was found.
The location of the incident was marked and a Police Search and Rescue team continued the search on yesterday (7h January) including a dive search.
The NSRI have no further details and Police have opened an inquest docket. The search will continue.
At 8.08 pm NSRI Durban volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated byTransnet National Ports Authority following reports that a man had fallen overboard the pleasure cruise boat Sea Joyin front of Pier 105 inside the Durban Port. Whilee NSRI were responding to the scene it was confirmed the man had managed to swim to the tyre tubes that line the edge of the harbour wall.
He had climbed out of the water and was not injured. No further assistance was required and NSRI were stood down to return to base.
At 8.19 pm NSRI Durban was alerted to reports of suspected red distress flares sighted off-shore of Ballito.
Clifford Ireland, NSRI Durban station commander, said on investigation it was determined that people were setting off sky lanterns from the beach. Eye-witnesses suspected that they were red distress flares.
NSRI continue to appeal to the public not to set off sky lanterns (which float into the sky) as they are often mistaken for red distress flares.
MELKBOSSTRAND
Kite surfer has lucky escape
At 5.59 pm NSRI Melkbosstrand volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following numerous eye-witness reports of a kite-surfer in difficulty off-shore of the Dolphin Beach Hotel, Tableview.
On arrival on-scene a search commenced for the kite-surfer. He as lateren found on the beach and he was safe.
The man said he had got into difficulty behind the breaker line after being unable to get his kite airborne. Despite his best efforts he found he couldn’t get to shore and became severely exhausted until a wave finally aided his efforts and he reached the beach.
CAMPS BAY
Near drowning incident
At 6.41 pm NSRI Bakoven were alerted to reports of a drowning at Camps Bay Beach.
While preparing to launch the sea rescue craft it was confirmed person was safely out of the water and in the hands of paramedics, suffering near drowning symptoms.
NSRI have no further details.
SIMONSTOWN
NSRI assist to tow a boat to Port
At around midday, NSRI Simonstown assisted to tow a boat to Simonstown harbour.
The casualty boat, which experienced engine trouble off Cape Point, was being towed by a fellow private boat. The towers requested NSRI Simonstown to come to take over the tow as sea conditions and wind conditions were becoming stronger.
NSRI Simonstown took over the tow between Millers Point and Cape Point and towed the boat safely to the Simonstown harbour without incident.
KOMMETJIE
Boat experiences engine trouble at Kommetjie slipway:
At 12.04 pm NSRI Kommetjie volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following reports of a boat in difficulties in the channel in the wave line in front of the Kommetjie boat slipway.
While preparing to launch the sea rescue craft the casualty boat with 3 people on board managed to reach shore without assistance. No further help was required and no one was injured.
(edited)
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