Cape Town - The NSRI has recognised the heroic efforts of three local rescuers who saved the lives of two people from drowning.
The organisation presented William Boltmann, Richard Boltmann and Francois Koekemoer with an award on World Drowning Prevention Day July 25, commending the swift action of the three brave men.
In what has been described as a race against time, the three were preparing to head out to sea to go crayfishing when they were alerted by an NSRI Coast-watcher of two Kuilsriver men, aged 27 and 19, who had been swept off the rocks and were being swept out to sea.
With no time to spare and without hesitation, the three men grabbed an NSRI Pink Rescue Buoy and launched their RHIB at around 7.18am, at Rooi Els on April 2.
They were not fazed by the dangerous conditions including big seas and strong winds.
“We were just in time.
“One or two minutes later, they would have gone down,” said William.
Armed with the Pink Rescue Buoy, William was able to pass the Buoy to one of the casualties who was then rescued onto the boat.
He then swam the rescue buoy to the second casualty.
“If we didn't have the Pink Rescue Buoy, the rescue would have been way more difficult, and we would have really put ourselves at risk,” William.
The dramatic rescue was caught on camera by photographer Mike Leresche.
Richard said: “You would never think that a small Rescue Buoy like that could actually give the guy’s hope, because a minute or two later, they would have gone down.”
Cape Times