Teamwork keeps North Coast beachgoers safe over the festive season

Preventing beachgoers from taking alcohol onto the beach yielded positive results as fewer near drownings and crimes were reported at local beaches this festive season.

Lifeguard superintendent Bongani Xulu said they had six near drownings and more than 50 help-outs, but only two power craft rescues were necessary.

Xulu said on December 26, a 10-year-old boy almost drowned at Salt Rock’s tidal pool, but quick reaction by lifeguards and emergency services saved the little boy.

“On New Year’s day there was one near drowning at Thompson Bay, two at Salt Rock beach and a double near drowning incident at Zinkwazi beach where 18- and 10-year-olds were rescued and stabilised by lifeguards and transported to hospital,” said Xulu.

He said it was refreshing to see large numbers of families arriving at the beach instead of partygoers and year-end functions being held at the beach.

He believes police and security presence to check for alcohol made the difference.

“It eased the congestion and I think families felt safer to come and enjoy the beach knowing unruly behaviour would be curbed.”

NSRI Ballito station commander Quentin Power said the combined teamwork had to be applauded.

“The season went down well with fewer incidents during the most popular beach days. Incidents we as NSRI attended to ranged from swimmers, boats and jetskis in distress far out to sea. A few calls of drownings in progress were received from non-protected beaches, where people were assisted by either our crew, lifeguards or bystanders,” said Power.

James Murray of Marshall Security said: “We can all agree that this festive season has been well policed despite the massive influx of people to the coastal nodes. We continue to emphasise the importance of collaboration and partnerships in ensuring the success of any operational plan.

“The KDM Marine Safety team must also be commended for going above and beyond the call of duty to save lives,” said Murray.

Umhlali Saps spokesperson, Vinny Pillay, said crime drastically decreased because of police, KDM crime prevention officers and security companies daily patrolling malls, beaches, shopping complexes as well as townships and farms during the festive season.

“We usually have robberies and stabbings on the beach, but this year it was not bad at all because of the high visible police and security presence,” said Pillay.

Ballito Neighbourhood Watch (BNW) chairman Morné Steffens said the festive season had been an absolute pleasure for locals and tourists that came to the North Coast’s shores.

“KDM, Ballito UIP and Saps did a splendid job ensuring all had a good time by keeping alcohol off the beaches as much as possible, a far cry from the horrid scenes we saw two years ago with stabbings, drunk beachgoers harassing people and kids being left unattended.”

He said BNW patrollers worked throughout the festive season, and as a result there has been no reported break-ins in residential areas.

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