Graham Howes’ legacy lives on as new NSRI rescue boat nears completion

Fundraising efforts to honour internationally acclaimed kiteboarder Graham Howes have reached a major milestone, raising enough money to fund a new National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) rescue vessel bearing his name.

Gemini Marine is building the 5.5-metre rigid-hull inflatable boat, named Spirit of Graham Howes, which will join the NSRI fleet at Station 16 Strandfontein.

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The vessel will turn the Howes family’s loss into a lasting legacy, helping rescuers respond to people in distress at sea.

NSRI Head of Fundraising Alison Smith said R200 000 had been raised to date, while a BackaBuddy campaign aims to raise a further R600 000 towards the wider initiative.

Gemini Marine, an NSRI strategic partner, has also donated the vessel’s hull.

From heartbreak to a lifesaving legacy

Howes, a world-class kiteboarder, mentor and founder of the Dirty Habits brand, died while kiteboarding off Bloubergstrand on September 7, 2025.

His body was recovered the following day after an extensive search involving NSRI crews, other emergency services and volunteers.

For his family, the compassion shown by rescuers during the search left a lasting impression and inspired them to raise funds for a rescue craft in his name.

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“We couldn’t have got through that night without the NSRI,” his mother, Gerry, said when the family launched the fundraising campaign in November 2025.

His father, Richard, recalled the reassurance of knowing rescue crews were searching despite difficult conditions.

“To know that the NSRI was out there was the best feeling,” he said.

People with passion who risk their lives every time they answer the call for help, in all weather, day and night.

The campaign was announced on the NSRI’s social media platforms around the opening of the Red Bull King of the Air competition at Kite Beach in Blouberg, bringing together the international big-air kiteboarding community in a sport Howes helped shape.

New rescue vessel nearing completion

The Spirit of Graham Howes is expected to be completed in October, with a blessing ceremony planned for the end of November when Richard, who lives in Portugal, will be in South Africa.

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For the family, the boat represents more than a tribute to Howes’ love of the ocean. It will carry his name into rescue missions aimed at bringing others home safely.

“To have a rescue craft named after Graham would be amazing,” Richard said at the launch of the campaign.

“Knowing that Graham continues to sail the sea, helping people in distress.”

Gerry said the vessel would help preserve her son’s presence in a world he cared deeply about.

He had the same passion as the NSRI, so it would be great if there were a boat in Graham’s memory that belongs to the NSRI. Just to know that Graham still has a presence in this world.

A legacy that will continue

The family’s vision extends beyond the first vessel, with plans to keep fundraising for future rescue craft in Howes’ honour.

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“After this vessel has been delivered, it is the family’s intention that fundraising efforts will continue in perpetuity to fund future vessels in Graham’s honour,” Smith said.