NSRI rescue vessel Spirit of Ubuntu arrives at her new home in Hout Bay (PICS)

The National Sea Rescue Institute’s (NSRI) newest Offshore Rescue Craft, Spirit of Ubuntu, has arrived at its new home at NSRI Station 8 Hout Bay following its journey from Table Bay.

The 14.8-metre vessel arrived on Wednesday, 19 August, marking the completion of years of research, planning, design, fundraising and local boatbuilding as part of one of the largest capital investment programmes in the NSRI’s history.

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Spirit of Ubuntu was launched on 15 July and subsequently underwent sea trials and certification by the South African Maritime Safety Authority before completing final preparations in Table Bay.

The vessel then travelled around the Atlantic seaboard to Hout Bay, where it was welcomed by Station 8’s volunteer sea rescue crew.

Its arrival is expected to significantly strengthen Hout Bay’s ability to respond to long-range and high-risk maritime emergencies in some of the country’s most challenging sea conditions.

Final vessel in major NSRI fleet renewal

Spirit of Ubuntu is the eighth and final Offshore Rescue Craft delivered as part of the NSRI’s modernisation of its Class 1 offshore rescue fleet.

The programme began with Alick Rennie, which was built in France and delivered to Station 5 Durban. The second vessel, Donna Nicholas, was partly manufactured in France before being completed in Cape Town for Station 10 Simon’s Town.

The third ORC, delivered to Station 17 Hermanus, became the first of the vessels to be built entirely in South Africa.

Further vessels were subsequently delivered to Station 3 Table Bay, Station 19 Richards Bay, Station 6 Gqeberha and Station 4 Mykonos.

With Spirit of Ubuntu now based at Hout Bay, eight strategically positioned NSRI stations have modern ORCs capable of responding to serious offshore emergencies.

Each vessel is self-righting, measures 14.8 metres and is designed specifically for rescue operations in extreme conditions. The ORCs can operate up to 40 nautical miles offshore, have a range of approximately 200 nautical miles and an expected service life of about 40 years.

Six of the eight vessels were built entirely in South Africa, supporting local boatbuilding skills and employment.

“Reaching the end of the ORC rebuild project, after years of research and development and eight builds from start to finish, brings a real sense of pride and confidence,” NSRI CEO Mike Vonk said.

“Our Offshore Rescue Craft fleet is now in good stead to carry out safe rescues for the next 40 years.”

Major upgrade for Hout Bay

Station 8 Hout Bay covers a busy section of the Cape Town coastline, where commercial shipping, fishing, tourism, recreational boating and coastal communities operate alongside often unpredictable ocean conditions.

The need for a more capable rescue vessel was highlighted during a difficult operation in 2025, when severe South Atlantic conditions pushed Hout Bay’s ageing deep-sea rescue craft beyond its safe operating limits.

The operation ultimately had to be handed over to Station 3 Table Bay, whose modern ORC was able to continue the response.

Spirit of Ubuntu brings significant improvements in navigation, communications, search capabilities, endurance, crew safety and heavy-weather performance.

“Spirit of Ubuntu is a massive step up in safety and capability, ensuring that we can handle the harshest oceans to bring people home safely,” Vonk said.

The Hout Bay rescue station has also undergone extensive upgrades to accommodate and support the new vessel.

Further equipment integration, crew preparation and operational readiness work will continue before Spirit of Ubuntu officially enters full service.