CAPE TOWN – Two experienced paddlers from St Francis Bay were rescued by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Simon’s Town after spending nearly two hours in the water following a downwind surf-ski paddle that went dangerously wrong in rough seas.
The alarm
At 15:56 on Saturday 12 September, the NSRI Emergency Operations Centre received reports that two paddlers were well overdue on a double surf-ski during a downwind paddle from Millers Point to Fish Hoek Beach. Fellow paddlers had noticed the couple appeared to be struggling early in the paddle, shortly after departing Millers Point.
The casualties’ SafeTrx emergency app had not been activated. However, all signs pointed to a developing emergency, and NSRI launched a full response.
Conditions at sea
Sea conditions at the time were severe: strong south-easterly winds of 35 knots, gusting to 40, combined with sea swells of 1.5 to 2 metres – demanding conditions even for experienced paddlers.
The response
Under the direction of station commander Darren Zimmerman, NSRI Simon’s Town mounted a coordinated operation:
- NSRI coast watchers were alerted to keep a lookout from the shore.
- NSRI rescue swimmers were dispatched to Whale Watchers Point.
- Rescue craft Donna Nicholas and Jack & Irene were launched from the Station 10 rescue base.
- Shoreline crews searched from the beach but could not spot the paddlers in the rough seas.
The rescue craft reached the paddlers’ last estimated position – between Millers Point and Roman Rock Lighthouse – and began a sweeping line search northward, toward Fish Hoek Beach.
The rescue
Roughly 20 minutes into the sea search, the rescue craft spotted the two paddlers offshore of Glencairn. The male paddler was seated on the surf-ski; the female was in the water, holding onto the back of the craft.
Two NSRI rescue swimmers were deployed from the rigid-hulled inflatable boat to secure both casualties. They were brought aboard the rescue craft and their double surf-ski was recovered.
Medical treatment
Both paddlers were found to be suffering from severe hypothermia and exhaustion. Medical treatment began immediately aboard the rescue craft. Cape Medical Response was activated to meet them at the NSRI Simon’s Town rescue base.
Cape Medical Response paramedics continued extensive treatment on arrival. It was determined that the pair had been in the water for close to two hours, repeatedly attempting to re-board their craft while drifting north past Roman Rock Lighthouse toward Glencairn.
Following comprehensive medical care, both patients were released into the care of family. Family and friends had been informed earlier that both paddlers were safe.
Why the alert failed
The male paddler had the NSRI SafeTrx app loaded on his phone, but was unable to trigger a distress alert when the pair capsized. He subsequently lost his phone overboard, eliminating any chance of a subsequent call for help. The couple drifted unmonitored until fellow paddlers raised the alarm.
Commendation
NSRI commended the fellow paddlers for raising the alarm when they did – a decision that proved critical given the failure of the electronic safety alert and the severity of the conditions.
The swift response of the NSRI Simon’s Town crew and the extensive search and rescue operation carried out in trying conditions was also commended.
