The NSRI is a non-profit organisation that saves lives on South African waters.

Sea Rescue is run by 840 highly skilled volunteers who are on standby day and night throughout the year. Donations and sponsorships cover the annual running cost of R15m.

NSRI contact details: Western Cape: 021 434 4011 MySchool contact details: Client services: 0860 100 445

The NSRI has 29 coastal and 3 inland stations. Its fleet of 72 rescue craft, 21 vehicles and access to a range of helicopters. NSRI enjoys a good working relationship with other emergency services and believes that it is through team effort that lives are saved.

The NSRI has initiated an education arm called WaterWise which teaches children what to do in an emergency and gives them the confidence to "breathe for their buddy" while they wait for the ambulance to arrive. WaterWise targets the disadvantaged youth between the ages of 9 and 14 - as statistically these are the most at risk. (Medical Research Council, 2006)

Our History

The need for a sea rescue organisation was highlighted in 1966 when 17 fishermen drowned after their trawler sank off Still Bay due to the lack of a rescue service.

Efforts to start a sea rescue service were initiated by a dedicated letter writing campaign by Miss Patti Price whose own life had been saved by life boat rescue service in the British Channel. Our first volunteers were Captain Bob Deacon and Mr Ray Lant. Today we have over 840 volunteers - even our Board of Directors is unpaid!

NSRI is always on duty. We respond day or night throughout the year, often putting to sea in the very worst conditions. Hours of training are required from our dedicated crew - we remain indebted to the families and employers who support our volunteers as well as to our donors who provide the essential funding to do this work.

*This information was taken from: www.nsri.co.za