National Sea Rescue Institute
NSRI Volunteer Support Centre in Milnerton, Cape Town | |
| Abbreviation | NSRI |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1967 |
| Type | Non-profit organisation |
| Purpose | Search and rescue |
| Headquarters | Milnerton, Cape Town |
| Location | |
Region served | South Africa |
CEO | Michael Vonk |
| Staff |
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| Website | https://www.nsri.org.za/ |
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is a voluntary non-profit organisation in South Africa tasked with saving lives through drowning prevention. It operates over 50 bases (as of May 2025) comprising coastal stations, inland stations on dams, auxiliary stations and lifeguard units. The organisation maintains crews on standby around the clock, with more than 1,500 volunteers supported by an operations department at its head office in Cape Town. These volunteers are equipped with sponsored rescue craft, rescue vehicles, quad bikes, and tractors. In addition, paid lifeguards are deployed on selected beaches across the country.
The NSRI works closely with other Search and Rescue organisations (22 Squadron SAAF, South African Police Service and South African Maritime Safety Authority) in South Africa.