Our organisation has two main objectives. To save lives on South African waters and to promote water and boating safety.

The NSRI is the only voluntary sea rescue service in Africa and carries out approximately 97% of all sea rescue operations on the Southern African Coast.

The National Operational and Technical Committee (NOTC) is responsible to the Board of Directors for setting and maintaining the operational standards of the organisation. This includes standards pertaining to rescue craft, vehicles, training and uniforms.

Station Commanders, who are nominated by their stations and appointed by the NOTC, serve a two-year term of office to manage the Rescue Station. The Station Commander is answerable to the NOTC for the effective management of the Rescue Station and duties include ensuring the rescue boats, vehicles and basses are maintained to the highest possible standards so that they are effective during rescue missions. Other duties include ensuring that training standards are met, budgeting and good governance of the organisation's assets, discipline, recruitment of volunteers, fund-raising and ensuring the other objectives of the organisation are met.

The Station Commander, or in his absence the Deputy Station or Duty Coxswain have the sole responsibility for authorising the launching of rescue craft.

A Station Committee of Senior Coxswain assists the Station Commander in the running of our Station.

South Africa's National Sea Rescue Institute is registered as a “Section 21 Company", "A Company not for gain" or a non-profit organisation (NPO).  We are a member of the International Lifeboat Federation, and of the SASAR (South African Search and Rescue Organisation) Maritime Sub-Committee.

Our Head Office is situated in Glengariff Road, Sea Point. There are three regional offices: in Durban, Port Elizabeth and in Johannesburg, with a total of 15 paid staff members nationally.  The NSRI has 28 coastal and 2 inland stations. Its fleet of 53 rescue craft are operated by 700 well-trained volunteer crew members.

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Our Head Office is situated in Glengariff Road, Sea Point. There are three regional offices: in Durban, Port Elizabeth and in Johannesburg, with a total of 15 paid staff members nationally.  The NSRI has 28 coastal and 2 inland stations. Its fleet of 53 rescue craft are operated by 700 well-trained volunteer crew members.

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