Get on board with National Sea Rescue Institute
The NSRI is run by more than 1,000 unpaid volunteers around the country.
If you are thinking of volunteering your time and giving back to your community, think of joining the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).
The NSRI is run by more than 1,000 unpaid volunteers around the country and its board of directors are also unpaid volunteers.
According to NSRI, it is most useful to have new recruits who are familiar with the sea, radio operation, navigation or first aid but, whatever your talent, they can put you to good use. Training is done after hours in the evening or on weekends. Standby for rescues is a 24/7 commitment, and best suited to people who live 10 minutes from a rescue base.
Volunteering includes a lot of training and a whole lot of cleaning up. It can take anywhere from six to 12 months before you will be ready for a real-life rescue. So, if you are thinking Baywatch, then you will have to think again. Team effort is essential.
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If you prefer to stay on dry land, you could help a rescue base with admin work, maintenance tasks or as a radio controller. Each base would also appreciate a ‘mother’ who is on hand to offer hot coffee and dry towels when they return from sea.
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Coastwatchers (usually retired folk who have a good view of the ocean from their homes) are an important part of the team as they act as ‘spotters’. Special training and equipment is supplied.
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In terms of fundraising – it may seem a mindless task but a street collection can raise about R40,000 for a morning’s work. If you are humble enough to join in and shake a tin, the NSRI would love to have you.
The NSRI’s first priority with volunteers is commitment and participation – distance from the rescue base (ideally 10 minutes) and time available for rescues and training are most important.
To download the NSRI’s Introduction to Sea Rescue information, visit its website www.nsri.org.za
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