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menu ER Numbers
112(National Emergency) 087 094 9774(NSRI Emergency)
Donate Shop Call for Help Now Find a Base
 * WHO WE ARE
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NSRI EMERGENCY
OPERATION CENTRE (EOC)

087 094 9774
Donate Shop

Emergency Numbers

112(National Emergency) 087 094 9774(NSRI Emergency)
Find a Base
 * WHO WE ARE
   * Our history
   * Integrated Annual Reports
   * Our people
   * Our governance
   * Memorandum of Incorporation
   * Vacancies
 * RESCUE
   * Infrastructure & Equipment
   * Lifeguard Unit
   * Volunteer Training
   * EOC & Rescue Communications
   * Base Finder
 * DROWNING PREVENTION
   * Summer Safety 2023/24
   * Water Safety Education
   * Survival Swimming Centres
   * Pink Rescue Buoys
   * Survival Swimming
   * Drowning Prevention Frameworks
   * Rip Currents
   * NSRI SafeTrx App
   * Free Resources & Guides
 * OUR PLANET
   * Animal Rescue
   * Help Animals in Distress
 * NEWS & STORIES
   * Rescue Operations
   * Media Centre
   * NSRI Magazine
 * SUPPORT US
   * Donate now
   * Win 4 Cars
     * Enter now
     * Car Competition Rules
     * Car Competition Winners
   * Win cash monthly
     * Enter now
     * Monthly Cash Draw Rules
     * Monthly Cash Draw Winners
   * Tax deductible donations
   * Sponsor a rescue vessel
   * Legacy & Trusts
   * Government & SOEs
   * Corporates & Clubs
   * Celebrate a Life Campaign
   * Community Fundraising
   * Volunteer
   * Online Shop
   * Vessels for Sale



RESCUE / 26 APRIL 2024


CLOSE CALL: DIVERS DRIFT 33KM BEFORE RESCUE



Thanks to an extensive air, sea and shoreline search on 24 March, four divers’
lives were saved after they went missing in marine protected area Protea Banks.

Protea Banks, a 1200km2 marine protected area also known as the ‘shark
sanctuary’, is home to seven shark species, including huge schools of hammerhead
and ragged tooth sharks. This, along with spectacular reefs and biodiversity,
makes it an attractive destination for divers from across the globe.

Dives in the area are usually ‘drift dives’, allowing the current of the water
to carry divers over a particular area – which means it is of critical
importance that whoever is manning the boat keeps vigilant tabs on their
location.

Unfortunately, on 24 March, huge swells caused four divers – two men, plus a
father and his daughter – to drift out of range of their charter boat. They were
to drift an incredible 33 kilometres (about 17,5 nautical miles) before being
rescued.

“The sea current was pushing about 3.5 knots that day, and the surf was huge,”
says Station 20 (Shelley Beach) commander Gary Wolmerans, whose crew formed part
of the rescue effort.

The divers’ charter boat raised the alarm while initiating a search, and at
10.38am, Station 20 duty crew were activated and launched rescue crafts “Spirit
of Dawn” and “Freemasons Way”. Meanwhile, Station 32 (Port Edward) rescue craft
“Spirit of Steve” also launched.

The divers had entered the water at around 8am, and had already been in the
water for almost three hours once the searched commenced; it would be another
two hours before they were found at 1.07pm.

In those hours, an extensive air, sea and shoreline search was conducted along a
plotted search grid, involving multiple SAR and communication organisations,
including a private fixed wing aircraft which diverted its flight to contribute
to the search before continuing on its way.

The divers were eventually found an extraordinary 33 kilometres from where they
had originally surfaced: a bit sunburnt, dehydrated, hungry and tired, but in
good spirits.

The fact that they managed to stay together by tethering themselves with a buoy
line undoubtedly saved their lives.

“This was a really clever move, as one big target in a search is far better than
individuals scattered about,” says Graeme, “so the dive master keeping a calm
head and keeping them together is a major factor in this rescue. Even so, if
they hadn’t been found, their only option would have been to attempt to swim to
shore. Bearing in mind they’d already been in the water for hours, fighting the
current, they may not have made it to shore before succumbing to exhaustion or
nightfall.”

Indeed, Gary also commends his crew for risking their lives in the choppy waters
to rescue the divers: “One knows the surf conditions are bad when you put the
JetRIB on standby just in case the other boats don’t make it out safely!”

Graeme concurs: “The station used all their available knowledge to save these
lives and knocked the ball out of the park. Well done to Gary and his team, and
all the stations and external people that pulled together to make this happen.
As a diver, there are two things one dreads: losing consciousness while under
water, and being lost by your boat. Happily for this bunch, the rescue was
successful.”

While apps such as SafeTRX (which can monitor a boat or diver’s position and
alert contacts in the event of an emergency) can prove lifesaving, it all
depends on the cell phone being within range of reception. In this particular
instance, it may not have helped as reception is patchy. However, “there are
devices one can buy that can be put into waterproof cases specifically made for
diving, which could then be activated once on the surface,” says Graeme, “such
as Spot Trace or AIS MOB.”

For divers wanting to avoid a similar emergency situation, consider the
following precautions:

• Dive planning is a must. This includes a briefing of actions to be taken if
there is an emergency situation, instead of reacting after one has occurred,

• Ensure the boat operator is licensed to take divers and is fully competent
in/familiar with challenging locations.

• Divers must have the correct qualifications.

• It’s always a good idea to incorporate a tracking device.



The NSRI would like to thank and commend the following organisations and people
for their participation in the rescue effort: SAPS Search and Rescue, charter
boats Aqua Planet and African Dive Adventures, Transnet National Ports Authority
Port Net helicopter, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, (TNPA) Transnet
National Ports Authority Durban Port Control, Medi-Vac ambulance services and
MI7 ambulance services, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, and SA Air Force
Lieutenant Colonel Pine Pienaar.

Additional sources:

Marine Protected Areas SA






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THE CHARITY THAT SAVES LIVES ON SOUTH AFRICAN WATERS

HEAD OFFICE

Mon - Fri 08:00 - 16:00
4 Longclaw Drive, Milnerton,
Cape Town,
7441
Co-ordinates: 33°51.86 S I 18° 30.63 E
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CONTACT INFO

Tel: +27 21 434 4011
Fax: +27 21 434 1661
E-mail: info@searescue.org.za

PO Box 154, Green Point, 8051
South Africa

REGISTRATION NUMBERS

Co. Reg. No: 1967/013618/08
NPO Reg. No. 002 – 870
PBO Number: 130000028

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