ISSUES AT STAKE: Let’s salute our heroes who volunteer their time

FOR the last few weeks, and a few to come, the ZO is running an NSRI profile series in which we profile the longest-serving NSRI volunteers.

The idea is to bring their achievements to light, to make these volunteers  who selflessly dedicate their lives to others’ safety better known to the community in which they serve.

The aim is also to create more awareness of the NSRI, what it is and how vital a role it plays, with the hopes of increasing support for the charity which saves lives.

What most people do not know, is that NSRI crew members are all volunteers with regular day jobs. When bathers get into difficulty in strong rip currents, or boaters get into distress for whatever reason, or even when large commercial vessels require emergency evacuations, NSRI volunteers are on standby for emergency call- outs.

And they are always involved in the rescue operation. Because of the nature of an emergency, the NSRI base must be ship-shape, clean, neat and tidy at all times, with all equipment and vessels ready to go at a moment’s notice.

And when they return to base from a call-out, whether they have been at sea for 20 hours or just two, the boat and all its equipment are thoroughly cleaned and put away for the next call-out before crew members can go home.

This selfless dedication to protecting you and I means time away from family life, often putting the needs of strangers ahead of loved ones.

As we head into the festive season, beach and sea-goers are urged to employ common sense, to not swim after consuming alcohol, to ensure their boats are up to standard so they do not fail out at sea, and to spare a thought to NSRI volunteers who put themselves at risk to ensure your safety.

Anyone can sign up to be an NSRI volunteer but it requires commitment. No qualifications or experience are required the organisation offers all the training required  and they need land-based crew members as much as those who go out to sea.

We, in Richards Bay and beyond, have much to be thankful for and should salute our unsung heroes.