Help us save lives on South African waters

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is the charity that saves lives on South African waters.

Established in 1967, the NSRI is a registered non-profit organisation that is committed to drowning prevention and focusses on saving lives, changing lives, and creating futures for those threatened by immersion or submersion in water in South Africa.

Our Rescue Services are run by highly skilled, unpaid volunteers who are on call 24/7 at rescue bases along the coast and at inland dams.

Our Drowning Prevention initiatives include preventative measures such as Pink Rescue Buoys for emergency flotation, emergency signage, rescue swimmers, lifeguards, active patrols during peak seasons, and drowning prevention training such as Water Safety Education and Survival Swimming lessons in under-resourced communities throughout South Africa. 

The NSRI is entirely funded through donations and sponsorships.

For any water related EMERGENCY call 087 094 9774