Mick Banks, NSRI Port Edward Station Commander said: “At approximately 11h30 our NSRI volunteer crew, standing-by on the Port Edward Beach, Natal, were alerted to a paddle-ski capsizing near the backline surf in 1½ to 2 metre surf.

We launched a Lifeguard rescue rubber-duck and rescued Neil van der Walt from the surf and recovered his paddle-ski.

Once safely on the beach and not injured Neil said he had been trying to come ashore aboard his paddle-ski to get fuel for the yacht Eggnog that he and Annelie Norris, both from East London, and Israeli skipper, Yaron Padagio, were sailing from East London to Durban and then on to the Seychelles but which had run out of fuel off Port Edward.

After jumping over-board and paddling his paddle-ski into the surf-line trying to get to shore Neil capsized before being rescued by NSRI.

Our NSRI crew assisted by taking Neil to a service station to get fuel.

Neil and his paddle-ski were then taken out to the yacht Eggnog, aboard our NSRI rescue craft Rescue 32 Alpha, and after assisting to get Neil and the fuel on-board the yacht we wished the crew well on their way.”

By: Craig Lambinon