Mitsubishi and NSRI continue to save lives

Holidaymakers around the country would have spotted the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI)’s new fleet of Mitsubishi Triton bakkies patrolling the waters this past December. Thanks to its 18-year partnership with Mitsibishi Motors South Arica, the NSRI boasts the largest fleet of Triton bakkies in South Africa.

“Search and rescue work means that we rely on our fleet of rescue boats and rescue vehicles in tricky situations. The safety of our crew and our patients is our priority and we are grateful to our partners at Mitsubishi Motors who we can confidently count on, year after year,” says Brett Ayres, operations manager at the NSRI.

The NSRI runs 42 stations across the country on the coastline as well as at other mass-water venues such as dams and lakes.

“Only rescue and other official vehicles are allowed on beaches in South Africa, and this is where the Triton makes its mark,” says Nic Campbell, general manager of Mitsubishi Motors South Africa. “The Triton boasts Mitsubishi’s Super Select II 4WD System that makes boat towing in sandy and rough conditions as easy as a walk in the park.”

NSRI events manager, Krista Lazzari, explains that Mitsubishi Motors also holds an annual raffle in which two Mitsubishi vehicles can be won. “It is called the Double Mitsubishi Car Competition with the first prize a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport as well as an ASX,” she says. “The second prize is R250 000 cash and the third prize is R80 000 for a dream holiday.

“The money raised is used to buy new boats and equipment for NSRI stations. Sea Rescue is waiting for delivery of two new ORC Search and Rescue vessels from France early in 2019, which cost around R19 million each. The new boats will be stationed at Durban and Simon’s Town. We will build additional ORC vessels through a supplier in South Africa,” Lazzari adds.

The next raffle starts in January 2019.