Body of youngster recovered

NSRI confirmed that sadly on Saturday, 27th January afternoon, the body of a 12 year old male, missing in the surf since Friday, was located on the beach at Main Beach, and recovered by the SA Police Services and the body has been taken into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services.

Condolences are conveyed to the family.

An inquest docket has been opened by Police.

See original NSR media statement below and the bathing alert for the Full (Blue) Moon on Wednesday

At 16h54, Friday, 26th January, NSRI St Francis Bay duty crew responded to Main Beach following reports of a drowning in progress.

The sea rescue craft Spirit of St Francis II was launched and NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene.

Private Care ambulance services and the SA Police services were activated.

On arrival on the scene an extensive search commenced for a 12 year old male, believed to be a local, reported by eye-witnesses to have last been seen floating face down in the water after reportedly being swept out to sea by rip currents approximately 20 minutes prior to NSRI arriving on the scene.

A shoreline search by NSRI crew and 7 NSRI crew and NSRI rescue swimmers deployed into the surf conducting a sweeping line free dive search in the surfline and a search conducted from the sea rescue craft in the breakers but despite the extensive search no sign of the boy has been found.

Police opened an investigation and a Police Dive Unit and K-9 Search and Rescue are continuing in an ongoing search operation.

Safety Alert:

NSRI are urging the public to be cautious around the coastline for the remainder of this weekend as the beginning phase of the 31st January Full Moon (Blue Moon) Spring Tide has begun to increase in intensity  as it builds towards the Spring Tide Peak on Wednesday 31st January.

The full moon Spring Tide will affect the coastline from today, peaking on Wednesday, 31st January, and lasting until after the first weekend of February.

Bathers, anglers, coastal hikers and beach strollers are urged to be cautious.

Bathers should only go to beaches where and when lifeguards are on duty and swim within the safe demarcated swimming zones that lifeguards post using their red and yellow flags.