Glencairn: Surf-Skier Rescued

Simon McDonnell, NSRI Simonstown station commander, said:

At 18h41, Monday, 14 October, NSRI Simonstown duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a surf-skier in difficulty off-shore of Glencairn, False Bay.

CMR (Cape Medical Response) were activated.

NSRI Simonstown rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene.

NSRI Simonstown duty crew responded to the NSRI Simonstown station 10 rescue base where the NSRI rescue craft Jack & Irene was launched.

The concern was that the paddler was at risk of being swept onto rocks below Glencairn railway station – he was reported by eyewitnesses to be in the water hanging onto his surf-ski and being swept shorewards from about 200 to 300 meters offshore.

On arrival on the scene, in fading light, a visual of the paddler was located from the shoreline. He was holding a electronic distress light to mark his position for NSRI crew on the shoreline to monitor his position.

NSRI rescue swimmers were preparing to enter the water when the NSRI rescue craft arrived on the scene and was able to rescue the man onto the rescue craft – close to shore in rough seas with a 30 knot South Easterly wind

The surf-ski was recovered by NSRI rescue swimmers from rocks where the surf-ski ran aground.

Medical treatment, for hypothermia, was commenced on the rescue craft to the 68 year old man, from Amsterdam.

The man was brought safely to the NSRI Simonstown rescue base where further medical treatment was administered by CMR paramedics.

Following rewarming procedures, by CMR paramedics, the man was released requiring no further assistance.

Our NSRI Simonstown crew closed our rescue base at 21h10.

NSRI commend the eyewitness, who was having dinner at Dixies Restaurant, for swiftly alerting NSRI to this emergency.

NSRI commend CMR (Cape Medical Response) for their swift response and ongoing support to NSRI.