The looming fuel price increase will be placing pressure on the NSRI.
Image: Robin-Lee Francke / IOL
As global fuel prices surge, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said this price increase will place growing pressure on the organisation's ability to train volunteer rescue crews and deliver lifesaving services.
According to the NSRI, while it continues to respond to emergencies, rising fuel costs are expected to place growing pressure on the systems that make those rescues possible: crew training, rescue craft readiness, response vehicles, and the delivery of water safety and survival swimming programmes in disadvantaged communities.
Current projections point to a significant rise in both petrol and diesel prices.
For the NSRI, where rescue vessels, vehicles, and training all depend on fuel, this will have a direct and material impact on its operations, including training, readiness, and prevention activities.
NSRI CEO Mike Vonk said they would never stop responding to emergencies.
“But, if fuel costs rise sharply, the pressure moves into the systems that keep our crews ready and our prevention work active, helping to save lives before emergencies happen,” Vonk said.
The NSRI’s latest report shows boat running costs exceed R5.5 million annually. Based on current projections, rising fuel prices could add significant additional cost pressures.
To manage this responsibly, the NSRI is tightening fuel use, prioritising critical operations, and refining training to ensure every session delivers maximum value.
Emergency response capacity remains fully protected.
“Fuel doesn’t just power our boats. It powers every part of our ability to save lives - from training and readiness to prevention in communities,” Vonk said.
Training remains essential to the safety and effectiveness of the NSRI’s volunteer crews, who operate in challenging and unpredictable conditions. At the same time, the organisation’s water safety and survival swimming programmes, which help prevent drownings, are also impacted by operational costs.
NSRI Communications Manager, Andrew Ingram, said there would also be fuel for rescues, which was non-negotiable.
“But people may not realise how much fuel increases will affect a non-profit like ours, and those increases ripple through our training, prevention and readiness,” Ingram said.
For emergency assistance, call NSRI’s Emergency Operations Centre at 087 094 9774 or dial 112 from any mobile phone.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
IOL