Maritime rescue operations reported in Guyana and South Africa

Testimony provided to a Presidential Commission of Inquiry has detailed the emergency response following the MV Barima tragedy off the Essequibo Coast in Guyana. Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard rescuers reported being the first on the scene, responding to distress alerts received late on July 18. Petty Officer Deon Smith described using spotlights to locate men, women, and children struggling in turbulent waters, with the crew pulling survivors aboard within three hours of the initial alert.

In a separate maritime incident off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) rescued five kayakers who became disoriented in dense fog near Three Anchor Bay. The group, consisting of two local women and three German tourists, was tracked via the NSRI SafeTRX app after a solo paddler issued an emergency alert. The rescue was facilitated by NSRI duty crews and local kayaking company Atlantic Adventures, ensuring all individuals returned safely to shore.