MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE

Background

Having volunteered for the South African National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) between 2010 and 2020, Ernesta has a wealth of experience in the field of maritime search and rescue (MSAR). This decade saw her gain an impressive number of field qualifications, participate in numerous complex and dangerous maritime rescue operations, and successfully climb the ranks at two NSRI stations. She honed her skills as rescue crew member, rescue swimmer, training coxswain, deputy station commander of the NSRI’s Air Sea Rescue (ASR) Unit, and as the training officer at both the ASR Unit and Bakoven lifeboat station. As training officer, she compiled the training curriculum and organised training courses for fellow crew members.

Services

Today, Ernesta applies this experience in the consulting work she does for emergency response organisations. In particular, she contributes to:

•  MSAR capacity development and training projects,
•  research and drafting regarding MSAR activities and
•  the accompanying regulatory framework.

Skill Set

In addition to her numerous qualifications and substantial field experience, Ernesta’s ability to remain calm amidst chaos and to think fast under pressure make her an invaluable asset to any rescue team. Her knack for analytical and “big picture” thinking has also been highly praised in the context of planning training curricula, optimising operational procedures, and developing strategies. Her ability to collect, interpret and apply vast quantities of information in addressing specific challenges is a rare skill that has been widely lauded. Her knowledge of the policy environment that supports those in the field and her legal expertise make her a unique candidate for MSAR projects of a legal nature. Equally valuable are Ernesta’s engaging personality and positive energy that have become known as a catalyst for effective team performance. In sum, Ernesta is uniquely placed to balance legal, human and operational interests.

MSAR-related Training and Qualifications

•  Search and Rescue Diver: PADI International
•  Certified Dive Master: PADI International
•  Advanced First Responder – Level 3 First Aid Certificate: PADI International and NSRI
•  Basic Firefighting Training: Koeberg Emergency Services Training Centre
•  Restricted Radiotelephone Operator’s Certificate (marine): Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)
•  Regional Introduction to Search and Rescue: South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)
•  Advanced Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET): Cape Peninsula University of Technology
•  Fast Rescue Boat (FRB) Coxswain Short Course: Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Department of Maritime Studies. Course completed in accordance with the South African Code of Maritime Qualifications and the STCW95 Convention. Accredited by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).
•  Chartwork and Navigation: NSRI
•  Training Officer Course: NSRI
•  Class 3 Coxswain Assessment Course: NSRI
•  Whale Disentanglement Course: South African Whale Disentanglement Network
•  Maritime Extrication Course: NSRI

Notable Rescue Operations

Three of the most notable rescue operations Ernesta participated in are:

•  The Iron Maiden rescue (21 May 2016)
The South African Air Force (SAAF) 22 Squadron Super Lynx helicopter rendezvoused 106 nautical miles offshore with the fishing trawler Iron Maiden to evacuate the captain, who was showing signs of a heart attack. Ernesta, as rescue swimmer, and Shakira Hartley, as rescue paramedic, were winced down onto the vessel to extract the captain to safety. This was the first medical evacuation at sea by a Super Lynx in SAAF history.
>> https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/aerospace-aerospace/super-lynx-notches-up-first-localsea-rescue
>> https://www.iol.co.za/weekend-argus/rescue-angels-show-their-mettle-2064066

•  The Claremont rescue (13 August 2013)
When the Hout Bay fishing boat Claremont ran aground on Robben Island during a midnight storm, Ernesta and other NSRI volunteers rescued 12 fishermen. Working through the night in icy, waist-high water, they used a rescue line to escort the crew from the shipwreck to land.
>> https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/heroes-of-high-seas-rescue-1562126

•  The Miroshga rescue (2012)
In a massive, joint operation between numerous rescue organisations, Ernesta helped save the lives of 36 of the 38 passengers on the local Hangberg Charters boat Miroshga after it capsized at Bakleiplaas, near Hout Bay.
>> http://www.nsri.org.za/2012/10/hout-bay-charter-boat-capsizes