A man’s body that washed ashore in Kleinmond has been retrieved by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).
The body washed ashore at Blokbaai, Hangklip on Sunday morning, the NSRI said.
Meanwhile, at Shelly Beach, the NSRI continues the search for an 18-year-old who went missing in the surf zone on Sunday.
Shelly Beach duty controller, Melodie Herrmann, said duty crew were activated on Sunday at 4.59pm following reports of a drowning in progress at Sea Park Beach, Port Shepstone.
An NSRI rescue craft JetRib was towed to the scene with an NSRI rescue vehicle, while NSRI rescue swimmers, Med-Evac ambulance services and Police Search and Rescue responded.
“On arrival on the scene a search commenced for a local 18-year-old male who was missing in the surf zone. The teenager reportedly went missing in the surf after being caught in rip currents while swimming. There remains no sign of the missing teenager,” said Herrmann.
A police search and rescue team conducted an ongoing search on Monday. No further updates were available at the time by deadline.
NSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon confirmed the body of a man had been retrieved on Sunday following eyewitness reports that the body appeared to have washed ashore at Blokbaai.
Police along with NSRI Kleinmond and provincial health recovered the body.
“Off duty Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services officers, in the area at the time, confirmed that the body of an adult man on the shoreline was at risk of being swept out to sea during the turn of the tide, at low tide. Police have opened an inquest docket,” said Lambinon.
The NSRI has also issued a warning to all beach users over the New Moon Spring Tides and coastal safety precautions.
NSRI urged coastal communities and visitors to exercise caution during the upcoming new moon spring tide, which will peak on December 31, as it significantly impacts tidal conditions. Parental supervision is also emphasised to ensure children are responsibly supervised in and near the water.
Inland residents are also cautioned about rivers, lakes, and dams especially during heavy rainfall.
“This natural phenomenon occurs when the sun, moon, and Earth align during the new moon phase, amplifying the gravitational pull on Earth’s oceans. Be cautious during tide changes, especially when high tide recedes to low tide for beach visitors and on the incoming tide for rock anglers,” the NSRI said.
Tidal Information for Cape Town: January 1, 2025
- High Tide: 04:11 AM
- Low Tide: 10:14 AM
- High Tide: 04:17 PM
- Low Tide: 10:29 PM
Cape Times