Festive Season drownings spike after deadly weekend at sea

The weekend before Christmas has proven to be especially treacherous for Festive Season swimmers and seafarers.

This is according to numerous reports published by the South African National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) which sadly cites the recent deaths and disappearances of local beachgoers. The Festive Season is a notoriously dangerous time on South African shores, as holidaymakers flock to the ocean in search of sun, fun and relaxation.

Unfortunately, the influx of Festive Season revellers ups the ante at beaches across the country. A nefarious mixture of overcrowding, alcohol consumption, misinformation and over-confidence wreak havok on South African shores. This year’s Festive Season is, unfortunately, no different.

Teenager missing near Milnerton Lagoon beach

On Saturday 22 December, the City of Cape Town Water Rescue Network was called to Milnerton Lagoon beach, where it was reported that a child disappeared beneath the surf. Sea rescue craft and vehicles were immediately dispatched by the NSRI. The search and rescue effort was aided by CoCT Fire and Rescue Services Dive, Western Cape Government Health EMS rescue squad, the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter, ER24 ambulance services and the SA Police Services.

The NSRI explained that the teenager was still missing, as of Monday morning, saying:

“An extensive air, sea and shoreline search for a 14 year old male, from Parow, has revealed no sign of the missing teenager and a Police Dive Unit will continue in an ongoing search operation.

It appears that the teenager and a 16 year old male friend were swimming in the surf when the teenager went missing in the surf after a wave washed over them and he failed to resurface. His friend raised the alarm.”

Father and son missing in the sea at Beach View, Port Elizabeth

On Saturday evening, NSRI Station 6 Port Elizabeth were alerted to reports of a father and son missing in the sea at Beach View. It’s reported that the father, 35, his son, 10, and his nephew, 16, launched a canoe to go fishing in calm seas. The canoe capsized 500 metres off-shore.

The teenager managed to swim to shore and raise the alarm. A short while later, the canoe washed up on the shore, missing its occupants.

The NSRI report explains the subsequent search efforts, stating:

“The canoe and fishing gear were recovered from the shoreline. It is believed that they were not wearing life jackets. Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search along 3 km of coastline and 1 kilometer out to sea no sign of the father and his son has been found and a Police Dive Unit will continue in an ongoing search operation.”

Inflatable boat capsizes near Kommetjie

On 23 December, a rigid inflatable boat capsized near to Kommetjie Lighthouse, Soetwater, with 5 male crew onboard. The City of Cape Town Water Rescue Network was activated and promptly responded to the scene.

According to NSRI Kommetjie station commander, Ian Klopper, four men managed to make it to shore. Unfortunately, one crew member died – despite being retrieved from the surf and receiving extensive medical treatment, including CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation).

As reported by the NSRI, the deceased man’s two sons, aged 18 and 20, from Mannenberg, were treated for injuries and 2 men aged 18 and 25, from Parow, were treated for injuries.

Teenager missing from Zinkwazi beach

On Sunday, NSRI Ballito duty crew, IPSS Medical Rescue, KDM (Kwadakuza) Municipal Pro Lifesaving lifeguards and Police Search and Rescue were alerted to a drowning in progress at Zinkwazi beach in KwaZulu-Natal.

A search operation was immediately launched in the hopes of finding the 14 year old boy who was reported to have gone missing in the surf while swimming with a friend. It’s thought that the teenager encountered difficulty and was swept out to sea by powerful currents.

Brendon Power, NSRI Ballito duty coxswain explained the exhaustive subsequent search efforts, saying:

“Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search, including NSRI rescue swimmers and KDM lifeguards conducting coordinated sweeping line free dive search efforts in the surf and Zinkwazi Ski Boat Club members assisting the emergency services with shore patrols, no sign of the missing teenager has been found and Police have opened an investigation.”