Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) handed over a sponsorship of R2.18m to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) at a function at George Airport earlier this month. The International Civil Aviation Organisation, to which South Africa is a signatory, requires airports within 10 km of the coast to have an emergency sea rescue service in place. As South Africa does not have a coastguard, it is reliant on the NSRI which performs these services as a social obligation. The sponsorship covers the five coastal airports : King Shaka International, George, East London, Port Elizabeth International and Cape Town International. Acsa has been a long-time supporter of the NSRI and has also donated a 9-metre rescue boat in East London and a 5.5-metre boat in Wilderness near George. In addition, it works with the NSRI teams on regular training and emergency drills to ensure preparedness for action should the need arise.
