Couple rescued after kayak capsizes in Hermanus

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) responded to two separate incidents in the Hermanus area on Saturday, highlighting the ongoing challenges of water safety.

A 76-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman were taken to hospital after their double sea kayak capsized offshore at Hardebaai, leaving them stranded in the surf zone for nearly an hour before reaching the shore. In a separate incident, NSRI crews rescued two men from a ski-boat that had experienced mechanical failure and was drifting into shallow waters. 

NSRI Hermanus spokesperson and coxswain Mark McLagan said duty crews were activated at 9.10am while conducting routine training after reports that a couple required urgent medical attention at Hardebaai, Onrus.

“A 76-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman had capsized their double sea kayak offshore and were later able to get ashore, where they requested medical assistance,” McLagan said.

NSRI Hermanus, CMC ambulance services and Priority Care responded. Both patients were treated on scene and transported to hospital in stable condition — one by CMC and the other by Priority Care.

“They are expected to make full recoveries,” McLagan said.

It is believed the couple capsized in the surf zone and were in the water for close to an hour before managing to reach the shoreline. No alarm had been raised during the incident, and bystanders later recovered the kayak.

Later that day, at 1.18pm, NSRI Hermanus was activated to Fisherhaven Lagoon following reports of a ski-boat with two men onboard that had suffered mechanical failure and was drifting.

An NSRI rescue vehicle towing a JetRIB was dispatched, while NSRI Kleinmond crews were placed on alert. On arrival, rescuers found the ski-boat had drifted into shallow, muddy water, preventing the rescue craft from approaching close enough to establish a tow.

A man paddling in a kayak from the Arabella area offered assistance. Using the kayak, he ferried an NSRI rescue swimmer to the stranded vessel, while a second rescue swimmer swam and waded through the shallow mud.

“The two men on the ski-boat were safe and in good spirits, but the vessel was firmly stuck,” McLagan said.

Through a combined effort involving the two casualties, the Good Samaritan, and NSRI rescue swimmers, the kayak was secured to the bow of the ski-boat while rescuers pushed from behind, freeing the vessel into deeper water. A towline was then attached and the boat was safely towed to the slipway without incident.

The two men, who are from Cape Town and visiting family in Hermanus, required no further assistance.

NSRI commended the kayaker for his role in assisting with the rescue.

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Cape Argus