At least three people drowned and a number of others are missing at various beaches around the coast as thousands of people flocked to the beaches on New Year's Day.
The NSRI says the search will continue for the body of a ten year-old boy from Gugulethu reported missing in the surf between 1st Beach and 2nd Beach, Clifton.
The NSRI Port Alfred, launched their sea rescue craft at 1.30pm on New Year's Day following reports of a drowning in progress at West Beach, Port Alfred.
Despite extensive CPR efforts on a 17 year-old the teenager from Grahamstown, he was declared deceased by paramedics.
An elderly man drowned at Richards bay and two young children who were swimming with him were rescued by NSRI rescue swimmers assisted by bystanders.
The 8 year old boy is in a serious condition and the 12 year old girl in a critical condition in hospital.
In Port Elizabeth, police divers will continue the search for a 14-year-old local boy who went missing in the surf at Smelly Creek, near Deal Party.
And at 18h20 on Friday, an NSRI Jeffreys Bay duty crew was activated following reports from Police of a drowning in progress at the Gamtoos River Mouth.
On arrival on-scene it was found that a 38 year old man from Uitenhage had been rescued from the surf by two bystanders.
NSRI medics treated the man on the scene for breathing difficulties and non-fatal drowning symptoms and on their arrival, paramedics took over and transported the man to hospital in a stable condition.
The NSRi commended the men who rescued the casualty for their actions.
