Body recovered

National Sea Rescue

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.

Message from NSRI and Lifesaving SA

NSRI and Lifesaving SA working towards drowning prevention – Safety message:

Sea Rescue and Lifesaving SA are working with all rescue services in an effort to reduce the number of drownings in South Africa this summer season.

The 7 top safety tips for the Summer holidays that should always be top of mind are:

  1. Only swim at beaches where and when lifeguards are on duty. If lifeguards are not on duty do not swim.
  2. Swim only between the lifeguards red and yellow flags.
  3. Don’t drink alcohol and swim
  4. Don’t swim alone
  5. Competent adults supervision for children and barriers which prevent access to water are vital.
  6. Know what rip currents are and how to survive them
  7. Don’t attempt a rescue, call a lifeguard or dial 112 from any cell phone

Have a plan in place to prevent panic:

  • Make sure you have emergency numbers saved in your cell phone.  Dial 112 from any cell phone in any emergency.
  • Put the local Sea Rescue number in your phone http://www.nsri.org.za/emergency-numbers/
  • Check the wind, weather and tides before you go to the beach.
  • Tell someone where you are going and when you are due back, make sure they know your route.
  • When climbing on rocks or fishing from rocks – never ever turn your back on the sea.
  • If you are paddling or if you are on a boat download NSRI’s free SafeTrx app.   http://www.nsri.org.za/safetrx
  • Check that your craft and equipment are in good working order and carry the correct safety approvals and certifications and safety gear.
  • Wear a Life-Jacket at all times.
  • Store your communication devices,  cell-phone and VHF radio, with fully charged batteries in watertight plastic sleeves.
  • Carry red distress flares, a signaling mirror or CD disc, a referee’s whistle, a waterproof torch and wear the correct brightly coloured  gear, a hat and sunscreen and keep well hydrated.

Teach your children about rip currents:

  • Rip currents are the greatest cause of drowning accidents along our coast.
  • A rip current looks like a calm patch of water but is actually a river of water flowing fast out to sea against the incoming waves.
  • If you are caught in a rip-current you’ll be swept out to sea faster than you’re able to swim towards the shore.
  • Don’t panic or try to swim against the current.
  • As tough as this sounds, let the current take you out to sea.
  • Raise one arm in the air and wave and scream to alert people on the shore that you’re in trouble.
  • At the first chance you get … swim parallel to the beach until you’re free of the rip, then use the incoming waves to aid your progress to get back to shore

The biggest danger that people face on the beaches this summer are Rip currents.

See http://www.nsri.org.za/2015/09/beware-of-rip-currents/ for more on Rip currents

How to avoid rip currents

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