The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Station 37, in Jeffreys Bay, will be hosting an open day on October 1, along with the majority of the 46 NSRI stations nationwide.
According to the station commander, Paul van Jaarsveld, the local station in Jeffreys Bay will open their premises to the public where their base, assets and equipment will be on display.
He further said the crew will also be at the station to showcase some demonstrations and explain how the NSRI helps the community it serves.
The local station currently has more than 40 members, which include coast watchers, shore crew, seagoing crew, trainees, surf rescue swimmers, administrative crew, as well as one junior member.
Van Jaarsveld said the NSRI offers a 24/7 water emergency service which is run by volunteers, and they provide rescue services in and around the ocean and water which includes responding to drownings and various watercraft related incidents.
“We assist the emergency medical services with the extraction of patients off sand dunes, areas where ambulances are not able to access, and we assist authorities in search and recovery operations in and around the ocean when called upon,” said Van Jaarsveld.
“We have also partnered with the NSRI head office to train lifeguards and surf and rescue swimmers.”
Van Jaarsveld further said the NSRI drowning prevention department is responsible for the pink rescue buoys for the Kouga region.
Crew members occasionally host drowning-prevention talks, water-safety lessons, and bystander CPR demonstrations with children at the local schools or when they visit the station.
The NSRI’s services extend to their help with animals, as they assist with marine animal rescues including dolphins, whale disentanglement, seals, otters, sea birds and turtles.
During the open day on Saturday, October 1, Van Jaarsveld said they plan to make the public aware of the duties of the crew members and they will use the opportunity to thank the public who continue to support the NSRI.
“The public, or anybody in distress in and around the water, are our primary ‘customers’ and we want to thank them,” said Van Jaarsveld.
“Since we are a publicly funded organisation, the NSRI has an organisation would not be able to exist, as we would not have the ability to operate due to lack of funds. The support from the public literally keeps us afloat.”
He further said they also plan to honour their volunteers who remain dedicated to the station and the community.
“Without our volunteers, our station would not exist, and it is therefore important for us to thank and honour our volunteers and their families,” said Van Jaarsveld.
In addition, they hope to recruit land and seagoing crew to continue the good work that the NSRI does in the community.
The open day will start at 10:00 and will continue until 15:00.
- For more information or to join the NSRI based in Jeffreys Bay e-mail the station on station37@searescue.org.za or contact them on their emergency number on 079 916 0390.
