The tragedy occurred offshore of Stilbaai in 1966. Four fishing vessels went out to sea and only one returned. The devastating loss of life captured Patti Price’s attention. She was no stranger to the terror of being out at sea in distress, having been rescued as a child from a wrecked ship in the English Channel by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
Patti wanted something like the RNLI for South Africa. The pen proved mighty indeed and her efforts were acknowledged by the Society of Master Mariners of South Africa who started the South African In shore Rescue Service (SAISRS) in 1967.
Patti Price has a special place in the hearts of Sea Rescue volunteers, and is recognised as the founder of the NSRI. Station 10’s Simon’s Town base is named in her honour.
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“This is a lady (Patti Price, NSRI Founder) we all knew and respected, and to whom the then State President awarded the Certificate of Honorary Life Membership, with the words ‘To initiate is more than to build’.”
