Employees of a Mossel Bay business, who were stranded at a road, cut off by swollen flood from the Geelbek Vlei River near to Brandwacht, were evacuated to safety by NSRI Mossel Bay volunteer duty members.
JC Roos, NSRI Mossel Bay station commander, said at 4 pm on Saturday the duty crew were activated following a request for assistance from Mossel Bay Fire and Rescue Services to help the large group get home after work.
An NSRI rescue vehicle four rescue craft, NSRI personal vehicles were used in the rescue done in collaboration with WC Government Health EMS, Eden Lifesaving, Mossel Bay Fire and Rescue Services, EDR, Disaster Risk Management, SAPS, SAPS Sea Borderline Control and SAPS Water Policing and Dive Services.
The 83 men and women were secured into life-jackets and ferried across the river in relays, aboard 4 rescue craft, where they were able to then take their arranged transport to their homes. There were no injuries. and the operation finished at 7.30 pm.
The swift response and cooperation between services has been commended.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is the charity organisation that saves lives on South African waters – both coastal and inland. Our goal is to prevent drowning through rescue operations, education and prevention initiatives.
