Local rigid-hull inflatable boat (RIB) specialist Gemini Marine has donated a 5.5-metre hull to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), anchoring a heartfelt joint memorial project in honour of late Cape Town kiteboarder Graham Howes.
The Cape Town boatbuilder stepped up with the hull contribution following a dedicated fundraising campaign organized by the Howes family and the NSRI. Graham—a well-known extreme sports entrepreneur and founder of the Dirty Habits brand—tragically passed away off Bloubergstrand in September 2025 following a whale collision while out on the water.
The donated hull forms the foundation for the rescue craft, appropriately named the Spirit of Graham Howes. Outfitting and technical fit-outs are currently underway at Gemini’s Cape Town facility, with final delivery on track for late October 2026. Once completed, the 5.5m RHIB will be stationed at NSRI Station 16 in Strandfontein to serve the busy False Bay coastline—a high-density stretch for local water sports and recreational boating.
The combined family donation and community drive raised R200,000 toward the build, with remaining funds earmarked for ongoing operational maintenance. The vessel carries a double legacy, honoring both Graham and his grandfather, who was himself a dedicated NSRI sea rescue volunteer.
“Gemini Marine has been part of the NSRI journey for more than 40 years, so being able to contribute to a project with such a meaningful story behind it is very special to us,” says Gemini CEO Gerhard Neethling. “We’re proud to play a small part in ensuring Graham’s legacy continues where it matters most — out on the water, helping to save lives.”
Gemini has long been a key commercial supply partner to the NSRI, building specialized inflatable and rigid-hull craft for emergency operations across Southern Africa and the world. An official blessing and commissioning ceremony for the Spirit of Graham Howes is set for late November 2026.