[15 November 2020] Today the SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service (AMS) handed over an outboard motor to Lifesaving South Africa Cape Town at the Air Sea Rescue (ASR) exercise which took place at Strandfontein beach.  The outboard motor will be used on one of their Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRB). Mr. Mzi Mayedwa, Head of the LSA Drowning Prevention Committee thanked the AMS for the donation and stated that “the incidences of drownings in South Africa is a major concern due to the long coastline and the inland water areas that present a problem to lifesaving and the authorities. The motor will be shared amongst the 18 clubs that operate in the Cape Town area so that the optimum use of the boat and motor can be attained in Lifesaving South Africa’s efforts to control and reduce drowning incidents.”

The AMS provides air-sea and air-mountain rescue services by helicopter with more than two decades of rescue experience working with Department of Health Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) and its many affiliates including Surf-Life Saving South Africa and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).  Our stringent training programmes for hoist operators are focused around safety and efficiency and have been developed taking the international and local (military) best practices into account. 

“With the upcoming high season we encourage everyone using the beaches and recreational facilities to do so responsibly. We trust that our donation will assist Lifesaving South Africa to continue with their mandate to not only contain and reduce drownings amongst the residents and visitors who make use of waterways for recreation, but also in support of their training programs and community development work that they are involved with said Dr. Philip Erasmus, CEO of AMS.

Picture credit: Simon McDonnell

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