MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Kelly Fourie-Barnard, a volunteer crew member at the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Station 15, Mossel Bay, concludes her interview with JC Roos, the station commander.
Which role players and relationships are important to Station 15?
Station 15 has a proud history of working effectively with role players including, but not limited to: TNPA, Various Units within the SAPS e.g. the Dive Unit and the Sea Border Unit, Disaster Management Services, Mossel Bay Municipality, Mossel Bay Fire and Rescue, Western Cape Metro Rescue, Air Mercy Services (AMS), By Grace Ambulance Services, ER24, Mossel Bay Traffic, Provincial Traffic and local lifesaving clubs.
What does this entail?
Rescue operations are dynamic and can be as simple as taking spares or fuel to a vessel, where only the NSRI is involved, or an extensive operation where multiple stakeholders and organisations are involved.
Depending on the emergency and rescue operation, some, or even all of the above organisations can be involved.
We make use of and integrate with organisations depending on their field of specialisation and the support we can offer one another; anything from assisting with traffic management, communication, drones, specialist medical services – it really depends on the type of call.
How can the community get involved with the NSRI?
As a voluntary organisation, funding is always a challenge.
The running costs of a station of our size requires certain items to be donated. Current fuel costs are high. The R15, our class 1 vessel, takes 1 100 litres of diesel fuel to fill.
Donations that are specifically allocated by our donors to Station 15 are an immense help. Apart from the day-to-day running of the station they help us secure equipment, upgrade equipment and improve our station, thereby delivering a better service to our community.
Not everyone can give money and we appreciate that; if people feel they can contribute in another, please contact me directly.
Sometimes a mere "thank you" is all a volunteer needs as motivation,
What is your message to the community of Mossel Bay?
A very big thank you: the support we have from the community is absolutely brilliant. Please keep it up. You keep our boats afloat.
What advice would you give someone interested in joining Station 15 as a volunteer?
Please visit the station and speak to one of us. Yes, it is hard work and requires a lot of dedication, but the rewards are indescribable.
"It is perhaps one of the most rewarding things any one person can do. If you have not been in a position to give your everything without expecting anything in return, but the thrill of saving a life, you are missing out on living life." - André Fraser, former Station 15 commander
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