Joint teams from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), Manten Marina, and local boat owners collaborated this month during a multi-day operation to secure and salvage yachts and pleasure craft following severe storm damage at the Vaal Dam.
The incident began on the afternoon of Monday, 10 August, when a localised thunderstorm packing gale-force winds struck Manten Marina. The severe weather triggered the partial collapse of a harbour wall and broke several jetties loose, causing unmanned sailing yachts and pleasure craft to break free and collide with surrounding infrastructure. Two sailing yachts sank at their moorings during the peak of the storm.
With no personnel onboard the affected craft, responders reported no risk to life or injuries.
Volunteer crews from NSRI Station 22 (Vaal Dam), Station 35 (Witbank), and Station 27 (Gauteng) mobilised alongside marina personnel and community members to rescue drifting vessels. Salvage and securing efforts were severely hampered through Tuesday and Wednesday by ongoing bitter cold, 20-knot winds, and low visibility.
Deploying two rescue craft, Spirit of Round Table and Harveys Fibreglass, teams utilised a break in the weather on Thursday to secure loose jetties and safely relocate at least 15 damaged vessels within the harbour. In addition, four sailing yachts were escorted across the dam to alternative mooring facilities on the Gauteng side.
Bradley Naicker, NSRI Vaal Dam Station Commander, praised the coordinated effort between rescue volunteers, marina operators, and private boat owners in preventing further loss of property under challenging conditions. Structural assessments and salvage work on the submerged craft remain ongoing.