Cape Town - A 31-year-old woman has survived a near drowning experience after a fisherman caught her with his fishing line in a rip current before reeling her in to safety.
The effort of the angler at Diaz Beach, Mossel Bay, has been applauded by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).
“The quick thinking and skill of a local angler, fishing along the shoreline at Diaz Beach, who cast his rod with fishing line and a kabeljou hook attached, in the direction of a lady who was caught in rip currents while taking a midnight dip in the ocean, hooking her on her jeans and reeling her in to safety, has been commended,” the NSRI said.
The hook had attached to her jeans, and the fisherman was able to reel her in until she was knee-deep and then helped her onto the beach.
The NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew was alerted at 00.57am.
“On arrival on the scene a female, age 31, was located safe on the beach.
“She was treated for non-fatal drowning symptoms by paramedics and following medical treatment she required no further assistance.”
Mossel Bay Municipality spokesperson, Cornelle Carstens-Johnston, said while not a Blue Flag beach, Diaz Beach has been added to the list of extended lifeguard services over the festive period.
The allocation per beach is between a minimum of three and a maximum of eight lifeguards.
“The most popular beaches, apart from the Blue Flag beaches, include Diaz Beach and Great Brak River mouth. You will note that these are included with extended lifeguarding duty as is applicable to Blue Flag beaches. Also note that due to the presence of rabies among Cape fur seals, the lifesavers doing duty on local beaches have been advised by the Mossel Bay Municipality to follow the same procedure when spotting a seal among bathers, as in the case of white sharks. Bathers will be requested to desist from swimming and leave the ocean. Beaches will be closed for swimming until re-opened by life savers.”