The rescue and lifeboat SPIRIT OF ROTARY was built in Cape Town in 1978 for the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), South Africa.
Length 11.9m.
Powered by two Caterpillar 3208 engines, each 375 hp, trial speed 34 knots, service speed 26 knots.
Range 100 mile.
Built as a wooden diagonally planked boat.
Crew 5, can accommodate 30 survivors.
1979 completed, she was donated by the Rotary District 235, and stationed in Hout Baai, station 8. Hout Bay is near Cape Town.
17 February 1979 was station Hout Bay official opened, although the first operation took already place on 1 January 1979.
A small steel building in the harbour served as the base, in the meantime replaced by a stone building.
First she had only one open six-metre rescue craft with two outboards motors. There was a crew of 22 who elected Ken Brady as their first station commander.
Since its inception Station 8 has till 1999 mounted 403 operations, saved 34 lives at sea and assisted 836 people in distress.
The volunteer crew has towed in 139 craft and assisted 77 others craft at sea.
Today (1999) the station is manned by 40 volunteers crewmen and women, headed by Station Commander Peter Adamo on 24-hour standby for callouts to people in distress either at sea or along the coastline.
2011Can not find her more at Hout Bay Station, from 2007 the NADINE GORDIMER is based at the station.
South Africa 1998 70c sg1052, scott1021.
Source: Internet and Watercraft Philately D. Rodlie 1999/23