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3 November 2023
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A sea rescue of the ‘doggy kind’, Tsitsikamma
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The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Oyster Bay duty crew were activated at 07h31 on Thursday, 26 October 2023, following reports, initially believed to be, of a man and his dog that had been washed off rocks and were in difficulties in rip currents at Eersterivierstrand, Tsitsikamma. “The NSRI Oyster Bay rescue craft JetRib was launched while NSRI rescue swimmers responded”, said Jaen Smit, NSRI Oyster Bay operation controller.
An NSRI Oyster Bay rescue swimmer, who works in Eersterivierstrand, arrived on the scene to find a Basset Hound had been caught in rip currents before reaching and clambering onto rocks in the receding Spring low tide.
A local young couple, with their Bassett Hound and with their Alsatian, were at the beach when the Basset Hound, excited to play with a flock of birds that were in the water and then to play with a school of Dolphins that were playing in the surf nearby, had launched into the water before being caught in strong rip currents.
“The young man had tried to reach his dog but we believe he retreated due the strong currents. A local lady, wearing fins and swimming nearby, had also tried to reach the dog”, said Smit.
“Local Good Samaritan Simon Bekker, a former South African Navy diver, who recently was awarded commendations by NSRI for a successful rescue he performed this past December at Eersterivierstrand, had noticed the commotion and he ran down to the beach where he grabbed a canoe at the beach and he paddled the canoe in an effort to reach and rescue the dog. By that stage the dog had reached and clambered onto some rocks but the dog remained in grave danger”, Smit added.
Bekker reached the dog and he held the dog, reassuring and comforting the dog, placing the dog on his lap, hugging the dog, until the dog owner, who had walked along the rocks to their location, reached them and he was able to carry his dog across the rocks to the beach and to safety.
By that stage the local lady, wearing fins, was still in the water.
As a precaution, Bekker paddled the canoe to the lady and he assisted her against the strong currents and the (by that stage) turning Spring tide to get back to the beach safely.
Additional NSRI Oyster Bay rescuers were arriving on the scene.
The casualty dog, now reunited with her whole family, was assessed by NSRI medics for non-fatal drowning symptoms and her family were given advice to monitor the dog post the ordeal. The dog seemed to be in good spirits and in no need of any further medical care.
The young man had sustained some minor cuts and bruises from the rocks but he was okay and needed no further care.
The family were delighted that their dog was safe and they thanked Bekker and everyone that assisted. NSRI commend Good Samaritan Simon for his efforts.
Source: National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI)
An NSRI Oyster Bay rescue swimmer, who works in Eersterivierstrand, arrived on the scene to find a Basset Hound had been caught in rip currents before reaching and clambering onto rocks in the receding Spring low tide.
A local young couple, with their Bassett Hound and with their Alsatian, were at the beach when the Basset Hound, excited to play with a flock of birds that were in the water and then to play with a school of Dolphins that were playing in the surf nearby, had launched into the water before being caught in strong rip currents.
“The young man had tried to reach his dog but we believe he retreated due the strong currents. A local lady, wearing fins and swimming nearby, had also tried to reach the dog”, said Smit.
“Local Good Samaritan Simon Bekker, a former South African Navy diver, who recently was awarded commendations by NSRI for a successful rescue he performed this past December at Eersterivierstrand, had noticed the commotion and he ran down to the beach where he grabbed a canoe at the beach and he paddled the canoe in an effort to reach and rescue the dog. By that stage the dog had reached and clambered onto some rocks but the dog remained in grave danger”, Smit added.
Bekker reached the dog and he held the dog, reassuring and comforting the dog, placing the dog on his lap, hugging the dog, until the dog owner, who had walked along the rocks to their location, reached them and he was able to carry his dog across the rocks to the beach and to safety.
By that stage the local lady, wearing fins, was still in the water.
As a precaution, Bekker paddled the canoe to the lady and he assisted her against the strong currents and the (by that stage) turning Spring tide to get back to the beach safely.
Additional NSRI Oyster Bay rescuers were arriving on the scene.
The casualty dog, now reunited with her whole family, was assessed by NSRI medics for non-fatal drowning symptoms and her family were given advice to monitor the dog post the ordeal. The dog seemed to be in good spirits and in no need of any further medical care.
The young man had sustained some minor cuts and bruises from the rocks but he was okay and needed no further care.
The family were delighted that their dog was safe and they thanked Bekker and everyone that assisted. NSRI commend Good Samaritan Simon for his efforts.
Source: National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI)