Despite its steady growth, there are only 17 full-time paid staff members based at Headquarters in Cape Town and in smaller offices in Durban, Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg. Over 650 volunteer members, both men and women, from all walks of life work at 24 rescue bases located along the coastline and one inland. Crew members must be over 18, medically fit, good swimmers, have their own transport and work and live near rescue bases. Their local knowledge of their own waters and coastline is often the key to a successful rescue. High professional standards are required in seamanship, radio work, navigation, lifesaving, first aid, fire fighting, mechanics, helicopter operations, safety and survival at sea and search and rescue techniques.
Senior crew are also skilled in search and rescue techniques, disaster management and control.
Some crew members also go on to qualify as rescue divers and others as qualified paramedics. All duty crews carry radio pagers for a rapid rescue response and duty controllers also issued cellular telephones. Currently, the NSRI fleet stands at 52 rescue craft. Operations cover a wide spectrum and range from removing sick and injured merchant seamen and fishermen to assisting and rescuing yachtsmen, skiboat fishermen, divers, rock anglers and general swimmers washed out to sea along the dangerous South African coastline. The NSRI also teaches water and boating safety to schools, scout groups, yacht clubs and other service organizations.