The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has issued a stern warning to boaters to exercise extreme caution when venturing onto Hartbeespoort Dam this festive season.

Kormorant reports over 50% of the dam is covered in hyacinth, making rescues nearly impossible. This follows a five-hour operation last weekend to assist two vessels stuck in the dense vegetation.

“It took two hours to get through the hyacinth and to the vessels in distress and another three hours to get back to the base. That is how thick and dense the hyacinth mat is. In the process, our rescue craft’s engine and propeller were damaged. Therefore, we are warning boaters that rescue will not be possible if they get stuck in the hyacinth,” said Arthur Crewe of NSRI Hartbeespoort.

Boaters are urged to avoid the hyacinth as help may not reach them. Crewe added that thousands of rands were spent this past year repairing rescue boats damaged during such operations.

“Boaters seem to think they will be able to steer vessels through the hyacinth, but they won’t. It is extremely dense and getting worse. The NSRI rescue crafts will not be able to reach them.”