Welcome to NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute) Station 18 in Melkbosstrand situated approximately 30km from Cape Town on the West Coast of South Africa.

The NSRI is a non-profit organisation (NPO) and our rescue personnel are all volunteers who do not get paid for the service they render. We are entirely dependent on public funding for our operational and capital expenses, as we do not receive any government funding.

Our rescue station's main area of operation stretches from Big Bay, Blouberg Strand in the south to Yzerfontein in the north and seaward for 10 Nautical Miles.

Upcoming events to meet our crew or maybe even join-up:

* Our crew meets every Friday evening at 6pm for hand-over. If you want to join, you are welcome to come in for a chat and see what we do. Just ask for the Statcom or Duty-Coxwain when you arrive and they will look after you. 

* Winter Season - Winter has arrived and it has its own set of challenges for the crew. With some big storms, lots of rain and wind, our crew does not stop and wait for it to blow over. We continue to train in these conditions to prepare our crews for everything that nature can throw at us.

With a healthy respect for the sea, we will be prepared. If you see us on a cold and rainy day, say hi and rest assured, we will be when needed.

This is also a very busy time for us to train as most of of major courses takes place over this period.

Our latest operations include:

 

* 14 - 17 March 2013. Station 18, along side Stn 4 (Mykonos) and Stn 34 (Yzerfontein) participated in the annual Trans Atlantic Boat Adventure (TABA) from Springfontein via Lambert Bay, Elands Bay, Velddrif, Paternoster, Langebaan, Yzerfontein to end in Melkbosstrand. This year again was a huge success. We all learned new skills and will apply those skills where necessary.

 

* 12 March 2013. Operation Beachy. Station 18 participated along side several other NSRI stations  to simulate a ship in distress with mass casualties. Other services that also participated in this exercise was the South African Air Force, Police, Provincial EMS, Disaster Management, Immigration, Customs, Cape Town City Traffic and Law Enforcement.

 

* 01 - 08 March 2013. We responded to several Kite Surfing incidents this past week. Fortunately, all managed to get safely ashore.

 

* 02 February 2013. A successful Surf Training day was held at Melkbosstrand. Several other rescue stations from the region joined us for this vital training session. Thanks to all whom presented, participated or helped behind the scenes to make it happen.

* 01 January 2013. We pulled  6 people from the water during this standby day at the beach. All of them was saved/assisted by crew on the Discovery Rescue runner whilst patrolling the back line on a very windy, but packed beach. Congratulations guys. Several lives were saved that day.