Summer Season preparation underway

The George Municipality’s Emergency Services team is hard at work preparing for the upcoming summer season. The Water Rescue Unit, consisting of skippers, swimmers and divers, recently conducted intensive beach launch training with sea vessels under the supervision of Fire Station Commander, Johan Crouse, at Wilderness Beach.
The purpose of the exercises was to practise launching in shallow water and performing surf rescue manoeuvres, ensuring that staff members are well-versed in safely mounting and dismounting vehicles, navigating through waves, and operating effectively in challenging conditions. Despite the windy weather and rough sea, the team intentionally trained under these circumstances to strengthen their skills and confidence for real-life rescue scenarios.
Seven staff members participated in the session, which also served to test the operational readiness of the rescue vessels and equipment. Regular training ensures that both personnel and machinery are in excellent condition ahead of the busy summer period, when quick and coordinated response is vital.
The team utilised jetRIBs during the training — specialised rescue vessels that combine the speed and manoeuvrability of a jet ski with the stability and buoyancy of a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (commonly referred to as a “rubber duck”). The swimmers and divers play a crucial support role during rescue operations, while the skippers are responsible for operating the vessels.
The Water Rescue Unit aims to conduct training exercises at least once a week, depending on weather, sea conditions and operational demands.

In the photo: Members of the George Municipality Water Rescue Unit during training. From left: Station Commander Johan Crouse, Fire Fighter Nico Rossouw, Fire Fighter Jandre Bernardo, Fire Fighter Bethwell Grootboom, and Fire Fighter Wilton Oktober.
Not in picture: Divisional Commander Johan Brand and Junior Fire Fighter Shaun Platt.

Video: Some of the Water Rescue Unit members test the jetRIBs.