Sea Rescue 50 years old

GEORGE NEWS - Saturday 14 October was a big day for the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).

All over the country, all the stations celebrated 50 years of Sea Rescue, as every rescue station had been allocated a budget to celebrate this milestone for the NSRI of South Africa.

At the NSRI Wilderness Station 23 Sea Rescue base, former KFM radio host Deon Bing was the MC at the celebration, with local band Upstream providing the entertainment.

Sea Rescue South Africa has 31 stations around the coast and five at inland dams.

There are about 1 000 volunteers across the country.

Like the other stations, NSRI Wilderness Station 23 has grown immensely throughout the years.

Station Commander Robert van Helsdingen said Sea Rescue Wilderness started in the early 1980's out of somebody's house, then later had a container at the beach, which had a boat in it.

Wilderness Station 23 Station Commander Robert van Helsdingen.
Photos: Luzuko Sampo

"It progressed over the years, as Sea Rescue Wilderness found a piece of land to build on, with the official opening of the current station being in 1993.

"Sea Rescue Wilderness as it stands today has about 22 members, and we have our main vessel here, which is a 5,5m semi-rigid inflatable with a 270 horse power, 4 stroke engine, as well as a 4,2 metre boat.

Local band Upstream provided the entertainment at the celebration. From left: Cameron McAdam, Josh Scholtz, Matthew van Helsdingen, Joseph Barrett and Jordan Ward.

"We have a satellite station in Sedgefield that is under our command, with a 4,2m vessel, and we keep a similar vessel in George at the Eden District Municipality Fire Station, in case we get a call-out at Herold's Bay."