A stand-up paddler escaped being swept out to sea by strong winds when an alert member of the public noticed his dilemma and alerted the National Sea Rescue Institute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brian Gosling, the NSRI Gordons Bay duty coxswain, reports that the unit was notified on Tuesday 16 January around 12:26 about a man on a stand-up paddle board (SUP) who appeared to be in difficulties and drifting out to sea at Rooi Els.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NSRI coast watchers, in the area, were requested to keep a lookout, while members of the public, who were in contact with the eyewitness, went down to the Rooi Els slipway, where they encountered friends and family of the paddler, who were not aware he was in difficulties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gosling reported: \u201cIt became unquestionably clear he was making no progress in getting back to shore against winds that were rapidly increasing in strength. The casualty was lying down on his board, and being swept out to sea by winds and sea currents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA friend of the paddler called the NSRI reporting his friend was in difficulties, and his cellphone number was supplied to NSRI Gordons Bay controllers, who activated the duty crew.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The NSRI Gordons Bay rescue craft Spirit of Surfski was launched and NSRI Kleinmond duty crew were also activated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both stations\u2019 rescue vehicles were dispatched to the scene and the WC Government Health EMS was placed on alert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The EMS\/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter, which was engaged in an inter hospital transfer, was also placed on alert to prepare to join in the search as soon as it became available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) and Telkom Maritime Radio Services assisted in communications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCommunications had been established with the casualty, by cellphone, but the cell signal was intermittent,\u201d Gosling pointed out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rescuers lost sight of the paddle boarder, but estimated he was most likely nearing the currents that would sweep him towards Cape Point. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The NSRI rescue craft arrived in the area where a search pattern, calculated by NSRI controllers, commenced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDuring the extensive sweeping line search efforts at sea and a search using binoculars from the shoreline, there remained no sign of the man who had disappeared from view out at sea,\u201d said Gosling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the meantime, the NSRI Simonstown duty crew were activated to prepare to launch their deep sea rescue vessel Donna Nicholas while NSRI Gordons Bay prepared to launch a second rescue craft. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cape Town Helicopters, with pilot Schalk Boonzaaier (the NSRI Kleinmond station commander) and a Cape Town Helicopters crew, was authorised for one of their helicopters to be activated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the extensive sweeping line search, the crew aboard the NSRI rescue craft Spirit of Surfski, located the man on his SUP approximately 5.40 nautical miles from Rooi Els.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 50-year-old man from Goodwood was recovered onto the rescue craft. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was commended for remaining on his SUP and not trying to swim to shore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gosling says the man reported that as he was swept further out to sea, the conditions worsened, causing him at one stage to fall off his board but he managed to recover it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man was taken to the Rooi Els slipway where he was reunited with concerned, but relieved family and friends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although he was a bit cold, sunburnt and exhausted, he required no medical care when he was taken ashore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe admitted he had not turned his NSRI SafeTrx smart phone app on,\u201d said Gosling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn what was calm winds, at the time of his launching, he had planned to only take a short paddle close inshore, but after wind speeds suddenly and rapidly increased he unexpectedly found himself at the mercy of the sea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe has vowed always to turn his NSRI SafeTrx smart phone app on, irrespective of his intentions when launching, and encourages all paddlers, sailors and boaters to do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The NSRI commended Alex Wheeler, the eyewitness who initially alerted the NSRI, for his vigilance and for not hesitating to call NSRI. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHis quick thinking and actions contributed to a life being saved,\u201d said NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The NSRI appeals to boaters, sailors and paddlers to use the free NSRI SafeTrx smartphone application that can be downloaded from its web page at www.nsri.org.za.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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