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IOL News
a day ago
- General
- IOL News
Honouring the women of the NSRI: Leaders in rescue operations
Nicky Whitehead is the Station Commander for the NSRI Strandfontein. Image: screenshot/NSRI The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is known for saving countless lives, yet we never get to meet the women who are part of this organsation. As we celebrate Women's Month this August, it only seems fitting to honour the women from the NSRI's volunteer crew to survival swimming instructors, from support staff to coxswains, who play a vital role in building safer communities along our coastlines and in inland waters. NSRI CEO, Mike Vonk, said it is vital to pay tribute to the extraordinary South African women who have chosen to serve their communities as volunteers. 'They give their time freely, often in the most demanding environments, responding with courage and skill, day and night. Currently, 28% of the NSRI volunteers are women, a figure that reflects South Africa's leadership in promoting gender inclusion within the maritime rescue sector. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading "Compared to similar organisations internationally, this level of female participation is significant and positions the NSRI as a leader in efforts to increase and support women in operational rescue roles,' he said. Carmen Long, from Hout Bay, a Class 1 Coxswain, said it was never her mission to be the first of women of anything; she just wanted to know whether she could crack the job. 'I joined [the NSRI] because I wanted to be part of something and I wanted to help. As you do your best, opportunities just present themselves. It is a big responsibility and I take that into consideration with every decision,' Long said. Class 1 Coxswain, Carmen Long. Image: screenshot/NSRI Lifeguard Operations Manager, Rebecca Carter-Smith, said being a class 1 coxswain was not an easy feat. 'A class 1 coxswain is responsible for over 10 people. You're responsible for the whole operation at hand, and you're responsible for a R25 million asset,' Carter Smith said. She described Long as an inspiration who proves to women that they can do anything they set their minds to. Nicky Whitehead, the Station Commander for the NSRI Strandfontein said the position she is currently in never entered her mind when she started out as a trainee. The NSRI's Lifeguard Operations Manager, Rebecca Carter-Smith. Image: screenshot/NSRI
The South African
7 days ago
- General
- The South African
Women in sea rescue honoured this August
Brave women have made their mark in sea rescue in South Africa. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in South Africa salutes the women within its ranks this Women's month who risk their lives to help those in trouble out at sea. The Institute proudly notes that 28% of its volunteers are women. They make a significant contribution in different spheres within the organisation. Over the years women have served as volunteers in sea rescue operations, drowning prevention exercises and water safety education. Their efforts as 'guardians of the sea' aim to build safer communities. Carmen Long from Hout Bay, Cape Town is one of the first woman to be appointed Class 1 Coxswain, In this leadership role she is responsible for the entire operation while out at sea. Ten people depend on her for direction during rescue missions, and she's accountable for equipment worth millions of rands. 'It was never a question about I am the first women to be a Class 1 Coxswain. It was do you think I can do it? I joined because I wanted to be a part of something. I wanted to help. As you do your best, opportunities present themselves,' said Long. The person everybody turns to for guidance at the Institute is Nicky Whitehead, the Station Commander from Strandfontein. She served at the NSRI for the past ten years. Never did she think she would assume such a huge leadership role when she started as a trainee volunteer at the NSRI. 'Being a station commander was not a consideration. When you start of as a trainee you don't see yourself with that much responsibility…a lot of time [for me] has gone into sea rescue in the last 10 years, time I could have spent doing otherwise but I would do it over again in a second. It is rewarding in ways I could never imagine,' said Whitehead. Working in sea rescue does take its toll on one's personal life. Many volunteers miss out on personal life moments. The protectors of the sea, however, believe 'it's worth it if it meant saving a life'. Mike Vonk, CEO at the NSRI praised the women volunteers who face challenging situations, yet courageously respond to pleas for help, day or night. 'Currently, 28% of the NSRI volunteers are women, a figure that reflects South Africa's leadership in promoting gender inclusion within the maritime rescue sector. Compared to similar organisations internationally, this level of female participation is significant,' said Vonk. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
