Patrolling the borders of the Republic of South Africa is of vital importance to the stability and safety of the country, and this includes the coastal borders of the country.
The Northern Cape coastline stretches from the Orange River in the north to the Groen Rivier in the south, and the most effective manner to patrol these areas is by boat.
As the province is gearing itself for the influx of holidaymakers to our shoreline, dams, and rivers, skippers and divers from the SAPS Diving Units in the Northern Cape have been preparing, training, refreshing, and getting themselves ready for this hectic period as visitors flock to the water.
Divers and skippers from the Northern Cape, joined by their counterparts from the Free State, participated in an intensive exercise operation dubbed “Navalis Exercitatio,” translated from Latin to mean Naval Exercise, to prepare them mentally and operationally for any incident that may occur in and on the water.
The Provincial Head for the Police Emergency Services (PES), Brigadier Amicus Alberts, together with the National Diving Co-ordinator, Captain Marilè Wessels, presented and facilitated both theoretical and practical exercises in the coastal town of Port Nolloth in the Namakwa District from 20 until 26 November 2025.
The exercises comprised vessel patrols, vehicle coastal patrols, theory, and diving shore entries.
The team was joined by the Namakwa District Commissioner, Brigadier Schalk Andrews, and the Provincial Head for Corporate Communication and Liaison, Brigadier Mashay Gamieldien, who participated in vessel patrols along the shoreline of Port Nolloth.
The SAPS Diving Units will also be preventing and combating incidents of poaching along the RSA/Namibian borderline and the West Coast, as well as preventing illegal crossing by illegal/undocumented immigrants entering South Africa.
The SAPS Water Policing and Diving Services provides a specialised diving-related response service for various water-related emergencies, crime prevention, and investigative support.
As we are in the festive period, the main focus will be patrolling dams, rivers, and coastal areas to ensure adherence to water safety regulations and by-laws, particularly during public events this festive season.
#SaferFestiveSeason #fightingcrime
SAPS Diving Units in the Northern Cape prepares for the festive season https://t.co/fMjWIkaHm0#ArriveAlive #Drowning @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/GMG1t7lQrA
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) November 25, 2025
