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- The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) says several pink rescue buoys were stolen over the holiday period.
- The pink rescue buoys are public rescue equipment deployed at selected beaches, rivers and dams across South Africa and have been used to help rescue 177 people.
- Andrew Ingram, NSRI spokesperson, says the theft of the devices could be life-threatening.
While the pink rescue buoy, an emergency flotation device, is meant to save lives the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) says several devices were stolen over the holiday period.
The pink rescue buoys are public rescue equipment deployed at selected beaches, rivers and dams across South Africa and have been used to help rescue 177 people.
Since their inception six years ago, more than 1 800 of these devices have been sponsored by individuals and companies and placed strategically around the coastline.
The rescue buoys are designed to provide emergency floatation for those in difficulty in the water and floatation for a rescuer who goes in to help – despite being warned of the danger of doing this.
Andrew Ingram, NSRI spokesperson, says the theft of the devices could be life-threatening.
“Unfortunately, we have had a few pink buoys stolen over this holiday season. If you see a pole that is missing a pink buoy, please call the cell number on the pole to let us know so that we can replace it.”
Ingram appeals to the public for information.
He says: “If you see someone with a pink buoy and they do not have NSRI identification, it has probably been stolen from a pole. Please ask the person who has it to return it to the pole that they removed it from or to call the NSRI so that we can recover the buoy to relocate it to its pole.
“Volunteers within these communities look after the pink buoys and make sure that they are always ready to be used.”
Paul Lassen, duty patrol officer at Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club, says their lifeguards work voluntarily and are stationed at the beach between 10:00 and 18:00 on weekends and public holidays.
Lassen says the pink buoy is a crucial lifesaving device, especially when there are no lifeguards on duty.
“Often people go swimming early in the morning or after 18:00. At that time, there are no lifeguards on duty yet. Someone might have trouble in the water and that’s when these devices come into play.”
Lassen says beachgoers need to understand the importance of these floating devices.
“There is a need for them. Stealing or removing them could cost someone their life. One day you too might need it.”
Ingram says they are constantly identifying additional sites where pink buoys can be placed in cooperation with municipal authorities.
“The pink rescue buoys have caught the imagination of communities as the word spreads that they successfully save lives.”
