WHEN Zululander Dorian Robertson signed an application form to join the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) at Richards Bay as a volunteer on 19 May 1984, he had no idea that today, 30 years later, he would still be at the station as an active crew member.
Currently based at Station 19, Robertson has worked his way up from a volunteer to a class 3 Coxswain and Training Officer.
Growing up, Robertson spent most of his weekends at the Zululand Yacht club where he would often watch the rescue boats go out to sea on training missions.
At the tender age of 16, he joined the NSRI as a volunteer junior trainee, and at 18, was placed on crew as a qualified rescue volunteer.
‘I stayed here at Station 19 until 1988, but then went to Durban to study and joined Station 5,’ said Robertson.
‘In Durban, I attained many qualifications for NSRI, and by the time I left at the end of 1990 to return to Richards Bay, I was a Class 3 Cox’n on station.’
He returned as a crew member and was promoted to Class 3 Cox’n at Richards Bay later that year.
In 2001, he received his Class 1 Cox’n ticket and was qualified to take ‘Spirit of Richards Bay’ out to sea.
He served as Station Commander during 2011 and 2012 and is presently back as training officer.
The daily routine can vary from rescues in rough seas, long rescues, short rescues, silly rescues, river rescues and continuous training.
Rescues have ranged from towing yachts, recovering ski boats and towing them back to port, drownings, aircraft crashes and medical casevacs off ships.
‘A huge thank you must go to my wife Arline and the children who allow me to spend so much time at the Rescue Base, either training or on operations.
‘Without the understanding and support of family, this type of service will be not possible’.
Congratulations dad on your recognition for such a long term of faithful service to NSRI and the people whom you have helped.
Congratulations Dorian on your service. Keep it going, thank you for teaching us all that you know.