Darren Zimmerman, NSRI Simonstown station commander, said:
At 18h07 (Thursday, 13th December) NSRI Simonstown volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following a request for assistance from a man reporting to be on a broken in half and sinking surf-ski between Roman Rock Lighthouse and Boulders Beach, Simonstown.
It appears that the man had been paddling on his surf-ski when it encountered problems and subsequently began to break up forcing the man into the water and holding onto his surf-ski to aid in his floatation.
Cellphone communications were maintained between the man and our responding rescue resources and it was clear, from his tone of voice, that he was in dire trouble.
Our NSRI Simonstown volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched our sea rescue craft EDDIE BEAUMONT II and SPIRIT OF SAFMARINE III and our sea rescue vehicle responded and the WC Government Health EMS rescue squad was activated.
On arrival on-scene a sea and shore search commenced for the man but no sign of the man could be found despite our rescuers being able to talk to him on his phone and despite a massive search and rescue operation being deployed.
The casualty then confirmed that his surf-ski had sunk in the 45 to 50 knots winds and 3 meter swell (with swell breaking in places) and he was adrift and now having no floating surf-ski to hang onto he was at the mercy of his PFD (Personal Floatation Device - a version of a life-jacket).
Based on the severe sea searching conditions that our rescuers were faced with and the relatively large search area, in fading light, a Police helicopter carrying Police rescue divers was activated to respond to assist in the search.
Then, prior to the Police helicopters arrival on-scene, eye-witnesses residing higher up on the mountain called sea rescue to confirm that they had spotted the man and they directed the sea rescue boats to where he was, a half a nautical mile off-shore of and the man was located and rescued.
Suffering from severe hypothermia the man was brought to the NSRI rescue base in Simonstown where paramedics treated the man for severe hypothermia and he has been transported to hospital as a precautionary measure for observation for secondary drowning and he remains in a serious but stable condition but he is expected to make a full recovery.
David Black, 26, from Newlands had only his PFD and a cellphone as his safety equipment.
NSRI are urging anyone launching any kind of craft onto water to wear a life-jacket and have a full safety kit with them at all times carrying red distress flares, a signaling mirror or CD disc, a referee whistle, a waterproof torch and communication devices, a cellphone or VHF radio, in water tight sleeves.
-ENDS-
Released by:
Craig Lambinon
Sea Rescue Communications
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