NSRI Hermanus — Station 17 — is a volunteer sea rescue station established in 1976, staffed by more than 20 unpaid volunteers on 24/7 standby, part of the National Sea Rescue Institute's national network. Operating from New Harbour, the station covers Walker Bay, the Bot River lagoon and Palmiet lagoon, responding to maritime emergencies, water rescues and marine-animal (whale and seal) entanglement callouts. It received a new Offshore Rescue Craft in January 2022. NSRI is funded entirely by donations and fundraising.