Mr Botes has been involved in Search and Rescue operations in South Africa for 39 years and his distinguished career includes coordinating the search for the SAA Boeing “Helderberg” and being senior SAR co-ordination for the passenger liner the “Oceanos”, for which he received an international award.

He joined the South African Air Force in 1966 as a pupil pilot and received his wings the same year. He retired from the SAAF in 1996. In 1998 he joined the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) as head of Maritime SAR Operations.

In 2004 Mr Botes opened the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) in Cape Town and immediately begun establishing it as the Regional MRCC for Southern Africa in terms of the IMO Florence resolution.

The Regional MRCC was officially opened by the Secretary General of the IMO in January 2007 and continues to operate.