KNYSNA | PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Volunteers at the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) stations in Knysna and Plettenberg Bay were rewarded for their service and commitment to the organisation at the recent NSRI awards evening held in Knysna.
It was the 55th annual NSRI awards evening and it took place at the Premier Resort - The Moorings in Knysna.
The evening was held to celebrate NSRI's dedicated volunteers and other individuals who risk their lives to save the lives of others on South African waters.
A number of special awards were handed out on the evening, including a handful of long-service awards.
From Station 14 in Plettenberg Bay, Laurent Eray received a long-service award for his 25 years with the NSRI. In Knysna, where NSRI Station 12 is based, three volunteers received long-service awards - Reinald Hofmeyr (30 years); Berend Maarsingh (30 years) and Neville Eustice (30 years).
Director's Letters of Thanks were also handed out to citizens who are not NSRI volunteers that have lent a helping hand during rescue operations. Youngsters Tristan Gaylar-Ralf and Nathan van den Griendt were commemorated for their heroic act of bravery when they helped save the life of 24-year-old Joshua Schreuder who was drowning at Buffalo Bay on 10 November 2021.
Klaus Heinrich was also commemorated for his heroic aid in the rescue of two schoolchildren (Grade 7 and 8) at Swartvlei Beach in Sedgefield on 17 March this year.
Rescue operation stats
During the evening there was also a look back at many, many operations the the NSRI carried out in 2021.
Between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021, the NSRI conducted 1 025 rescue operations, rescued 960 people and 41 animals. Included in the report was a breakdown of Knysna and Plett's operations in 2021.
In Knysna there was a total of 20 incidents that the NSRI's Station 12 duty crew responded to last year, with a total of 15 persons rescued and two animals rescued, while seven vessels were assisted.
Station 14 in Plett were slightly busier, responding to 38 incidents and rescuing 31 people, while assisting four vessels along the way.
NSRI Knysna's three 30-year service award recipients. Reinald Hofmeyr; Berend Maarsingh and Neville Eustice.
Laurent Eray was commemorated for his 25 years of NSRI service.
Klaus Heinrich received a Director's Letter of Thanks.
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