NSRI
The NSRI has confirmed that they lost a 4 metre Jet Rigid Inflatable Boat during Monday night's devastating fire at a boat building and storage facility at the bottom of Brickmakers Kloof in Gqeberha.
The NSRI says the craft had recently been given to the NSRI's Gqeberha Station 6 base and was in for engine maintenance when the fire gutted the building.
Thirty-six deep sea and riverboats were destroyed including the NSRI craft.
The JetRIB - an NSRI innovation, has been a complete game-changer for rescues in the surf.
It is operated by water-jet propulsion.
This water-jet propulsion is more eco-friendly than the traditional outboard petrol engine and, by removing propellers from the water, it eliminates the real danger of a propeller strike to patients and rescue swimmers.
Dr Cleeve Robertson, NSRI CEO, said they are phasing out their 4.2 metre RIB's in favour of the JetRIB because of their phenomenal sea-keeping capabilities and its safety characteristics and that it is tragic to have lost one."
Although the JetRIB is insured, the organization does not immediately have a replacement vessel and production time is a few months.
Dr Robertson said they would still be able to fulfil their lifesaving duties but would not have all the ideal tools they need at their disposal.
