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An unforgettable journey: Dr Cleeve Robertson retires from the NSRI
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After more than a decade at the helm, Dr Cleeve Robertson, respected CEO of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), is retiring.
Under his guidance, the NSRI has grown significantly in size, scope and financial stability, enhancing its capacity to save lives. We take a closer look at Dr Robertson’s notable achievements, including his hands-on involvement in memorable rescues, such as the Miroshga incident, and his strategic shift towards preventative measures in water safety. With a personal connection to the NSRI dating back to his own rescue in 1986, Dr Robertson’s legacy is one of dedication, innovation and compassion.
His tenure has been a period of remarkable growth, strategic innovation and unwavering commitment to saving lives. As he prepares to step down, Dr Robertson reflects on his journey, the evolution of the NSRI and the profound impact of his work on South Africa’s emergency rescue landscape.
A legacy of growth
Dr Robertson’s leadership of the NSRI began in 2013, a pivotal moment for the organisation. Under his leadership, the NSRI transformed from a modest operation into a formidable force in maritime rescue. When he started, the NSRI had 25 staff members and about 900 volunteers. Today, it boasts over 1 500 volunteers and 131 service locations nationwide, including seasonal lifeguarded beaches.
“The general size and scope of the NSRI have grown remarkably,” says Dr Robertson. “We’ve proactively expanded our bases, stations, the fleet, and the number of volunteers, which has significantly increased our capacity to save lives.”
This expansion was not merely about numbers but about building a robust, efficient system that could respond to emergencies swiftly and effectively. Dr Robertson’s strategic vision ensured that the NSRI was always prepared and ready to save lives.
Financial stewardship and independence
One of Dr Robertson’s most notable achievements is the financial stability he brought to the NSRI. “Our independence is crucial,” Dr Robertson explains. “It allows us to direct resources where they’re most needed without external interference, ensuring we can respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies.”
Memorable rescues
Throughout his tenure, Dr Robertson has been directly involved in numerous rescues that highlight his hands-on approach and expertise in emergency medicine. One particularly harrowing event was the Miroshga incident in 2012. Three people were trapped under an overturned catamaran off the coast of Hout Bay in freezing, turbulent waters. “It was a complex and dangerous situation,” he recalls. “But the coordination, bravery and skill of our team turned what could have been a tragedy into a triumph.”
Dr Robertson recounts the incident vividly, “By the time I got out there, they’d been under the hull for about an hour. We knew they were there because our Bakoven crew knocked on the hull. So we sent divers in to find them. It was an incredibly tense operation. We had to dive them out because cutting a hole would sink the boat. The first diver found a leg in the water and pulled on it. The leg pulled back, so we knew they were alive.
“All three of them survived. In fact, one of the survivors who we brought out first was pregnant at the time, which we didn’t know. We only found out afterwards. There was a tragedy to that because the child had a genetic neurological disease and didn’t survive three months. So, from all the elation of having saved an extra person to the heart-breaking tragedy, I don’t think there’s ever been a rescue like that and probably won’t be for a long time.”
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| Truck lost control and crashed into a house in Kilnerpark, driver missing, Pretoria |
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The City of Tshwane Emergency Services’ acting public information and media liaison officer, Lindsay Mnguni reported that he Emergency Services Department responded to an accident where a truck lost control and crashed into a house on the N1 southbound near Stormvoël Road in Kilner Park in Pretoria on Sunday morning, 4 August 2024. “The truck accident was reported to the Emergency Services Call Centre (ECC) at about 03h41am., which immediately dispatched a fire truck and a rapid intervention unit from Innesdale Fire Station to the scene,” said Mnguni.
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| Pilot dies after helicopter crashes into Cairns hotel during unauthorised flight, Australia |
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A pilot has died after a helicopter crashed into the roof of a hotel in Queensland’s far north in Australia, starting a fire and forcing hundreds of patrons out of the building as a precaution. Emergency services were called to the Double Tree Hotel in Cairns. The crash took place at around 01h50am local time on Monday, 12 August 2024. Australian media reported the helicopter was stolen. Two people from inside the hotel, a man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s, were taken to Cairns hospital in a stable condition.
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| South Africa has shortage of 2 000 ambulances: Health Minister Motsoaledi |
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Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi says there’s a shortage of nearly 2 000 ambulances countrywide servicing the public health system. The Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and North West are the most affected provinces with lower number of ambulances available compared to the required ratio. Minister Motsoaledi revealed this in a written reply to a Parliamentary question.
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| Urhwebo e-Transand grades emergency airstrip, George |
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George Fire Chief Neels Barnard had high praise and special thanks for Urhwebo e-Transand who recently graded and levelled the landing strip at the Denneoord Emergency Airbase at no cost to the municipality. The emergency airbase which was established in 2017 remains the Garden Route’s first dedicated emergency firefighting airstrip on municipal property. The airbase a collaborative project between George Municipality, Southern Cape Fire Protection Association, Working on Fire and Garden Route District Municipality has meant that firefighting planes can respond much faster than they would have been able if they were stationed at a commercial airport where they would have had to wait in line for a runway along with other aircraft.
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| Yachts burn in massive fire at Alabama Marina, US |
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Crews from the Killen Fire and Rescue Department on Sunday, 4 August 2024, responded to a massive yacht fire at Turtle Point Country Club Marina situated in Killen, Alabama in the US. The Killen Fire and Rescue Department said responders were dispatched for a 65-foot yacht on fire inside the marina at approximately 07h00am. Engine 8 arrived on the scene to find two 60-foot yachts engulfed in flames with the fire advancing towards other vessels. Killen Fire and Rescue Department said that 11 other fire departments assisted in this incident.
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| Featured FRI Magazine article: Evidence based fire prevention programme targeting high risk communities by Rodney Eksteen (FRI Vol 2 no 7) |
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This week’s featured Fire and Rescue International magazine article is: Evidence based fire prevention programme targeting high risk communities written by Rodney Eksteen (FRI Vol 2 no 7). We will be sharing more technical/research/tactical articles from Fire and Rescue International magazine on a weekly basis with our readers to assist in technology transfer. This will hopefully create an increased awareness, providing you with hands-on advice and guidance. All our magazines are available free of charge in PDF format on our website and online at ISSUU. We also provide all technical articles as a free download in our article archive on our website.
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| Fire stations of the world: CFA officially opens new Dundonnell Fire Station, Australia |
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The Country Fire Authority (CFA) officially opened the new Dundonnell Fire Station on 31 May 2024, giving the community access to the modern and fit-for-purpose facility. The AUS$1.5 million fire station will serve as a community hub and includes a multi-purpose room that replaces the former Dundonnell Public Hall. Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said CFA is committed to providing its volunteers with the best facilities and hopes the new station will help attract the next generation of volunteers in the area. “It’s been designed to adapt to the changing needs of the community,” said Heffernan.
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| Technology: VIH Aviation fields world’s first firefighting Sikorsky S-92 |
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British Columbia-based VIH Aviation Group has partnered with Milestone Aviation, a subsidiary of aviation leasing firm AerCap, to deploy the world’s first Sikorsky S-92 firefighting helicopter. Through its various subsidiaries, VIH has extensive experience operating, maintaining and modifying the 19-passenger S-92 in its traditional role as an offshore helicopter in the oil-and-gas industry. According to Jen Norie, chief operating officer of VIH Helicopters, the company believes there is an emerging market for ex-offshore S-92s to be reconfigured for utility roles, such as firefighting and construction.
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| Fitness: First responder resilience Part 3: Healthy nutrition leads to more resilient first responders |
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Your brain is always working. Sometimes we may question how much but your brain takes care of your thoughts and movements, your senses, your breathing and heartbeat. It works hard 24/7, even while you are asleep. This means your brain requires a constant supply of good and healthy fuel. Where does that fuel come from? Just like your muscles, the fuel you get for your brain comes from the foods you eat and drink. And the contents of that fuel can really make the difference in how your brain functions. Simply put, what you eat directly affects the structure and function of your brain and, ultimately, your mood. In this episode, Aaron Zamzow discusses the links between nutrition and mental health and will give you some usable tips to clean up your nutrition and help your brain and body function more efficiently.
Source: Fire Rescue Fitness (FRF)
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| Training: Proper foot placement when using a webbing loop |
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In this “quick tip” video I will discuss and demonstrate proper foot placement when using a webbing loop to either enter or exit a window with a high sill. Keep in mind there are many options for negotiating high window sills. Webbing is typically used when you don’t have a tool or anything else available to use as a step to get up to and over the sill.
Source: Dale G Pekel
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| Vintage: Vintage air tanker colour film shows early aircraft: F7F Tigercat TBM TBF Avenger T-34 |
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This great sound and colour training film shows early F7F Tigercat air tanker operations as well as TBM Avengers evaluated for their firefighting capabilities. The presence of the yellow F7F suggests this film was produced around 1958 or later. The film is a great historical snapshot into aerial firefighting of that time, showing the use of borate and bentonite and the introduction of coloured dye, to make retardant drops more visible for follow-on passes. Enjoy this film, and give it a Thumbs Up. This copy of the film includes restoration of audio and color, plus sharpening and other editing by Airailimages.
Source: airailimages
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| Inspiration: Quote of the week |
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NEFSFPA