PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Sea rescue volunteers have proved that they won't leave any stone unturned when responding to an alert.

At about 11:15 on Friday 14 May, National Sea Rescue (NSRI) volunteers received a call from a woman who said her 58-year-old local neighbour had not returned from a swim at Sanctuary Beach.

Duty coxswain Gerhad Jordaan said the woman had gone for a walk on the beach and saw her neighbour go for a swim. "She had continued on a walk on the beach but later could not see him in the water and his towel was still on the beach where it had been left," Jordaan said.

"Concerned that he may be in danger she went home to get her phone and she raised the alarm."

The NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew was immediately activated. The sea rescue craft Ray Farnham Rescuer and Rescue Free Runner were launched and proceeded to Sanctuary Beach to search while their sea rescue side-by-side vehicle, with NSRI rescue swimmers on board, and NSRI rescue swimmers in their private vehicles, responded.

"While the search operation continued we investigated to try to get more information regarding the man to see if he may be safely out the water. We then received contact details for a manager of the complex where the man is living. 

"Upon further investigation the man was found safe at home, unaware that a rescue operation had been launched. Although he was very apologetic, we assured him that we are only too glad to find him safe and no further assistance was required."

Jordaan commended the neighbour for her concerns and for raising the alarm.

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