Sea rescue is a great adrenaline rush
The NSRI provides the necessary training for its voluntary members
A DECADE of serving as a NSRI volunteer crew member at Richards Bay Station 19 has not diminished Ryan Chase’s adrenalin rushes when on a call-out.
‘Whether it is a massive sea with eight metre rollers or a river that has overflowed it banks, I have always been drawn to the adrenalin rush of heading into the unknown,’ says Ryan.
‘The excitement of arriving, assessing the scene – be it a yacht tow, ski boat recovery or helping a person in need – is almost addictive.’
A factory technical analyst for Bell Equipment by day, in his NSRI capacity Ryan holds a class three Coxswain ticket and is working towards his class one ticket.
‘If all goes according to plan, I’ll have that by the end of 2019.’
While Ryan says there are too many memorable call-outs to pick out anything specific, he said that one of the many things he has learnt during his time as a NSRI crew member is the good feeling and sense of accomplishment when returning from a successful call-out.
‘There is a sense of pride of being part of the NSRI, and of having been part of a well executed call-out.’
If it was not for volunteers such as Ryan, as well as the others we have profiled, the NSRI would not be the success it is today, 50 years after inception.
ALSO READ: NSRI volunteers in the spotlight
Joining the NSRI
Anybody from the age of 16 can join the NSRI.
No experience is necessary as the organisation provides all training which enables crew members to execute their required duties.
Being a NSRI member is not only about getting on the boat and going out to rescues, there is also much to do at the base, such as chart plotting and co-ordinating rescues.
Every Wednesday evening members meet at the base and carry out specific tasks.
The first Wednesday in the month is when all equipment gets checked.
On the second and fourth Wednesdays, they go out to sea at night for lights and navigation brushing up, while the third Wednesday is for in-house training.
The NSRI does not charge for call-outs, but donations are always welcome.
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