Andre Barnard, NSRI Hermanus station commander, said: On Saturday, 10 September, NSRI Hermanus, while conducting routine maintenance at our NSRI Hermanus rescue station were alerted by public members of a seal, witnessed in amongst the Dolosse, in and around the new harbour, with a rope entangled around the seals neck.
NSRI Hermanus and local authorities are well aware of this seal that had evaded multiple attempts over the past few weeks by NSRI to try to disentangle the rope that was wrapped and entangled around the seals neck.
Every time we tried to help the seal it dived into the water to swim away and escaped our efforts.
On this occasion our NSRI crew took SA Whale Disentanglement gear to the scene and NSRI crew, approaching the seal cautiously, commenced efforts using the whale disentanglement specialised cutting equipment.
The efforts were successful and the rope was cut free. The seal appears to be in good health.
No further assistance was required.
WILDERNESS:
Mike Vonk, NSRI Wilderness station commander, said:
On Friday, 9 September, at 17h46 NSRI Wilderness duty crew were activated following eye-witness reports of a sea-kayak with 2 people onboard capsized in the mid surf break, in moderate surf conditions, during fading daylight, at Wilderness Main Beach.
A member of public stood by on beach with an NSRI pink rescue buoy ready to assist if needed.
Our NSRI duty crew responded to our NSRI Wilderness rescue station where the rescue craft Ann Stratford was launched.
WC Government Health EMS responded.
Their sea-kayak had washed ashore leaving 2 residents from Hoekwil, a Father (age 50) and his daughter (age 17) in difficulties in the mid-break surf line.
Our rescue craft reached the 2 casualties, who were both wearing PFD’s (Personal Flotation Devices) and NSRI crew rescued them both onto the rescue craft.
They were brought to shore where the daughter was assessed by an NSRI medic and she was not injured. They required no further assistance.
During their ordeal the paddle for the sea-kayak was lost at sea and while NSRI conducted a search for the paddle it was not found.
NSRI has commended the family for wearing PFD’s. The dad is an experienced sea-kayak fisherman. They were celebrating the daughters birthday.
The quick response by NSRI and emergency services is commended.
NSRI commend the multiple eye-witnesses who raised the alarm and who stood by on the scene to assist with the NSRI pink rescue buoy.
