Clifford Ireland, NSRI Durban station commander, said:
“At 08h15, Saturday, 15th November, NSRI Durban duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following eye-witness reports of 4 surf-skiers hanging onto a jet-ski off-shore of Virginia Beach and appearing to be in difficulty in a 35 knot South Westerly wind.
“While preparing to launch our sea rescue craft MEGAN II the TNPA reported another incident outside of the harbour entrance where a surf-skier was reportedly in difficulty.
“We launched our sea rescue craft MEGAN II and our sea rescue vehicle responded to Virginia Beach when it was reported that a private jet-ski had launched from Vetch’s Pier and had assisted the surf-skier outside of the harbour entrance and he had been taken to shore safely and he required no further assistance so our sea rescue craft continued to respond to Virginia Beach to where the 5 surf-skiers were reportedly hanging onto a jet-ski.
“On arrival on-scene all 5 surf-skiers, all males in their middle aged, were found safely washed up on the beach
“It appears that a group of developmental surf-skiers had launched their surf-ski’s but got into difficulty in the strong winds before a man on a jet-ski came to their assistance and managed to get all 5 surf-skiers closer to shore and they managed to all reach the beach safely and unharmed.”
“Then at 11h14, Saturday, 15th November, an abandoned unmanned surf-ski was found on the beach at Umhlanga with no contact details or name on the surf-ski and unknown if it had been abandoned on the beach or if a paddler may still be missing.
“During an extensive search and extensive enquiries to try to determine who and where the owner is and with no reports of any persons missing or overdue a man was finally tracked down and he confirmed that the surf-ski belonged to him and he was safe at home.”
