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14 Jun 2021

Two men rescued from sinking fishing boat off uMhlanga beach

Sakhiseni Nxumalo (The Mercury: IOL) Picture: NSRI. Two men were rescued from a sinking fishing boat.

DURBAN – uMhlanga lifeguards have been commended for their swift response that saved the lives of two men who were in danger of perishing in a sinking fishing boat offshore from uMhlanga beach on Sunday. After seeing signs that the boat was in distress, the lifeguards helped to pull the men to safety with the assistance of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).

The NSRI in KwaZulu-Natal said their duty crew from Durban responded to the incident which took place just before 4.30pm. Jonathan Kellerman, NSRI Durban station commander, said their crew were activated after receiving reports from the lifeguards about the fishing boat that was in distress. The lifeguards had already launched their own rescue to assist the fishermen that were 300 metres offshore.

He said the sea rescue craft Spirit of Surfski 6 was launched and three NSRI Durban crew, on their private fishing skis, were also diverted to the area to join the uMhlanga lifeguards on the scene. Both men were pulled to safety.

In another incident, three men were rescued after their boat capsized in the shore break at Shelly Beach, on the South Coast on Friday. NSRI Shelly Beach duty controller Melodie Herrmann said their duty crew, Med-Evac Emergency Rescue Service and the SAPS responded.

Herrmann said on arrival at the scene, the crew of the boat were found safely ashore, and were not injured. She said the boat was washing ashore in the shallow surf. It was recovered with the assistance of members of the Shelly Beach Skiboat Club and Shelly Beach Control.