At 11h25, Saturday, 13 June, NSRI Mdumbi duty crew and NSRI Mdumbi lifeguards were activated following eyewitness reports to NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) of a drowning in progress at Coffee Bay main beach, in front of Ocean View Hotel (Eastern Cape).
NSRI Mdumbi lifeguards responded directly to the scene while NSRI Mdumbi crew launched the NSRI rescue craft JetRIB.
The SA Police Services were alerted and responded.
On arrival on the scene it was confirmed that a 21 year old Johannesburg man, a student at a local University, visiting Coffee Bay from Mthatha for the day with friends, had gone missing in the surf zone while swimming.
Friends of the young man, and eyewitnesses, indicated where earlier the man had last been seen in the surf zone.
An extensive sea and shoreline search revealed no signs of the missing man.
Police K9 Search and Rescue were alerted and Police divers attended at the scene assisting in the search.
On Sunday NSRI lifeguards assisted Police in ongoing search efforts.
Police K9 Search and Rescue are continuing in ongoing search efforts, assisted by the local NSRI lifeguards.
Police have opened an investigation. The man remains missing.
Thoughts and care are with family and friends of the missing man in this difficult time.
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