OUR PURPOSE – S AV I N G L I V E S
SECONDARY PREVENTION – RESCUE The NSRI has always had a core focus on rescuing people when the victims were out of options to save themselves, and this remains so to this day. The time required to train, prepare, assess, maintain and be on standby for a possible call, 24/7, is substantial, and entirely reliant on dedicated and passionate volunteers around the country. Without them, many people would not have the chance to be rescued. Beyond the emotional loss, the economic and social community cost of a life lost and the knock-on impact is massive. The major new developments in our rescue operations over 2020 were the implementation of the new operational structure, including separating operations into three departments – Rescue Services, Capital Projects and Drowning Prevention – to ensure a better focus on the distinct service delivery requirements of the organisation. Within Rescue Services, five synchronous support services come into focus: Training, Station Operations, Emergency Operations Centre, Rescue Communications and Lifeguarding.
18
Within station operations, two operations managers, Bruce Sandmann and Deon Langenhoven, have been recruited to ensure that stations and volunteers are better supported and to ensure that we sustainably reach our strategic targets without an unnecessary burden on busy volunteers.
RESCUES Even with the best preventative measures, there are circumstances when people find themselves in trouble and out of their depth.
This is where Sea Rescue comes in – we provide an essential rescue service to South African citizens and foreign nationals, whether they are bathers, sailors, surfers, paddlers, fishers, pilots, SCUBA divers, accident victims or people caught in floods. In 2020, NSRI rescued 835 people who, if it had not been for the volunteer dedication, would probably not be here today. More information about our rescues can be found in the Our Beneficiaries section on page 53.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE RESCUED 1 620 1 306
1 224 949 835 Due to COVID-19 lockdowns and beach closures
2016
N S R I – I N T E G R AT E D A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 0
2017
2018
2019
2020
