MOSSEL BAY NEWS - On Wednesday, 6 October, the National Sea Rescue Institute began a search for a nine-year-old boy, who was reported missing from Dias Beach, Mossel Bay.

The boy, Jason Nomdo, went missing at about 09:00 or 09:30, but the NSRI was only alerted at 12:48, when it received a call from the boy’s father, according to Mossel Bay NSRI station commander André Fraser. 

The NSRI searched the waters off Dias Beach near the Oceans Hotel. Jason had been playing rugby on the beach with his brother, aged seven, when their ball went into the sea. Jason went to fetch the ball in the water and went missing in the sea. The seven year old then went home to tell his mother what had happened, according to Fraser. 

At the time of going to press on Thursday, 7 October, Jason had still not been found. 

Rescued 
A boy, aged 12, was rescued off Dias Beach by the NSRI, also on Wednesday, 6 October. He had got into difficulty in the waves while swimming in the sea near the Diaz Hotel. 

The police and emergency services also went to the scene, having responded to calls. 

Fraser said the boy was visiting Mossel Bay from Kraaifontein, Cape Town.

Comment from Mossel Bay Municipality:

Mossel Bay Municipality is aware of the social media interest in the recent events at Diaz Beach where minor children had to be rescued from the sea and where the search operation for a missing nine-year-old boy is ongoing.

According to feedback from the spokesperson for the Da Gamaskop Police Station, Capt Wollie Fourie, the children were swimming when they got into trouble at sea. The children were not under adult supervision at the time of the incidents, Capt Fourie confirmed.

Contrary to popular belief, Diaz Beach was never awarded the coveted Blue Flag status. The Municipality has never applied for Blue Flag status, considering the costs implications and the fact that several other local beaches receive Blue Flag status annually.

Furthermore, Blue Flag status is seasonal and merely applies to the period for which it was awarded. Nevertheless, the beaches that boast this status continue to comply with the very strict, stipulated conditions.

Lifeguards, however, are only deployed per tender and only during the high season holidays and on weekends. As a result, beachgoers remain responsible for their safety on local beaches. Notice boards to this effect are placed at all beaches in the greater Mossel Bay.

Mossel Bay Municipality sincerely regrets the incidents and, once again, appeals to parents and guardians to ensure that - especially - minors and children who cannot swim are accompanied by an adult, preferably someone who can swim, when they visit any of the local the beaches.

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