Return pink rescue buoys to beaches

The pink rescue buoy project started by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in 2017 has contributed to a number of drownings being averted over the past few years.

Pink buoys are placed at selected beaches along the South African coastline as well as at some inland dams and rivers and are bright pink in colour for rescuers to easily identify at the beach should anyone be in difficulty in the water and need rescuing.

The buoys have been installed throughout the Umdoni Municipal area in the following places: Umkomaas launch site, Umkomaas beach, Clansthal beach, Cutty Sark beach, Scottburgh beach, Preston tidal pool, Park Rynie Ski-boat Club, Rocky Bay Caravan park, Pennington Ski-boat Club, Pennington beach/tidal pool, Mtwalume main beach, Mtwalume first beach and Mtwalume second beach.

The pink buoys are NSRI property and the public is asked to report any missing/stolen buoys to NSRI.

NSRI has also noticed that after buoys are used, they aren’t always returned to their rightful place.

Should the buoys be used, rescuers are requested to return the buoys back to the poles where they were installed so that it may help the next person save a life.

“On each pink rescue buoy sign are emergency numbers for Sea Rescue,” said Linda Putter, NSRI Station 39 secretary, Rocky Bay.

“If you are not a strong swimmer and trained to rescue, we advise that this public rescue device is thrown to a person who is in danger of drowning while someone else calls for help.”

There are also location numbers on the buoy sign which helps NSRI members know exactly where the emergency is.

“Do not go into the water to try and rescue someone unless you are trained how to do this, and if you decide to go into the water to help someone despite
this advice, take something that floats with you such as the pink rescue buoy or a surf board for example.”

Station 39 at Rocky Bay wishes to thank all the locals involved with monitoring and assisting with the pink rescue buoys and asks the public to continue looking after these life saving devices.

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