The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has received R1,8-million sponsorship for sea rescue services near South Africa’s five coastal airports, it said on Thursday. The R1,8-million sponsorship is from the Airports Company South Africa (Acsa).
”There has never been a major commercial aircraft disaster off the coast of South Africa, but like an insurance policy, we have to be ready to be able to handle such a disaster,” said NSRI CEO Ian Wienburg.
”Our 700 volunteers around the country are always on duty.”
The NSRI relies on donations and sponsorships to meet annual running costs of R15-million.
General manager of Durban International Airport, Deon Cloete, said international aviation law recommended that coastal airports, within 10km from the coast, have a sea rescue service.
”We have the greatest respect for the NSRI who undertake to perform this service as a social obligation.”
South Africa’s coastal airports are Durban, George, East London, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.
The NSRI has a fleet of 57 rescue boats stationed at 29 coastal towns and three inland dams, and manned by 700 voluntary rescue crews. – Sapa