Award-winning NSRI JetRIB rescue craft stolen and destroyed by fire

An award-winning NSRI JetRIB rescue craft, worth around R650,000 and used for saving lives, was shockingly stolen and destroyed by fire in Cape Town, South Africa, this weekend. The SA Police Service (SAPS) have opened an investigation.

The incident took place at Strandfontein. Yesterday morning (Sunday), NSRI crew arrived at the NSRI Strandfontein rescue station for routine training when they discovered the station had been broken into during the early hours of Sunday morning, and that the rescue craft was missing.

The four padlocks to the slipway boat gate were found open and damaged.

Police and Law Enforcement initiated investigations and a Police case was opened. SAPS is being assisted by the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement and Metro Police.

On Sunday afternoon the craft was discovered in an open field in Blikkiesdorp, Delft. It had been set alight and completely destroyed by the fire.

“While NSRI has suffered theft of rescue assets and break ins at NSRI rescue stations in the past, we have never experienced a case where a rescue craft was stolen and later found gutted by fire,” said the NSRI.

In 2021, the SA JetRIB won an IMRF (International Maritime Rescue Federation) Award for Innovation and Technology. It was designed in 2019 by Admiral Powercats, Droomers Yamaha and the NSRI.

The NSRI said: “It is suspected that parts of the craft (particularly the Yamaha VX 1050 motor) may have been stripped before being set alight. Investigations include an alarm notification indicating the rescue station main gates for the NSRI rescue craft was set on at 02h06 and went off at 02h10.”

The NSRI JetRIB Rescue Craft:Technical Details:

• Jet Ski: Yamaha VX 1050 (110 HP)
• Hull: Extension hull with a Hypalon pontoon permanently attached
• Engine: 3 Cylinder four stroke
• Fuel: 70 Litre capacity

An NSRI JetRIB rescue craft fully kitted for rescue operations costs R650 000.

NSRI are appealing to anyone with information regarding this case to contact the SA Police Services. A case has been opened at Strandfontein Police Station.

Find out how you can support the NSRI: https://www.nsri.org.za/support-us