The rescue of a teenager and his father from a rip current at the Clovelly Corner of Fish Hoek Beach on Saturday, using a National Sea Rescue Institute pink buoy, brings to 200 the lives saved since its introduction in 2017, says the institute’s CEO, Mike Vonk.
The pink buoy used in the rescue was sponsored by Gerna Conradie in April 2022.
Mr Vonk said Ms Conradie had sponsored the buoy in the names of her grandchildren, Grace and Daniel Tippet.
“We are thrilled with the 200 lives we know have been saved using a pink buoy so far, underscoring the importance of readily making them available at high-risk locations,” he said.
“Each pink buoy serves as a symbol of safety, provides a lifeline to those in distress and raises awareness about the dangers of water.”
NSRI spokesperson Darren Zimmerman said the local man and his son had been treated by paramedics for non-fatal drowning symptoms and taken to hospital.
It appeared a teenage boy and girl and their friends had been caught in rip currents while swimming, and while the girl’s father had rescued her, the boy’s father had been caught in the rip with his son, Mr Zimmerman said.
Clovelly residents had seen the unfolding drama, and a father and son had run to the beach to rescue the pair, the son using his bodyboard and the father using the NSRI buoy.
The pink buoys were introduced to provide simple, easy-to-use rescue devices at popular yet sometimes dangerous swimming spots. They let bystanders act safely and quickly, and an emergency number is printed on the sign to which the buoy is mounted.
“Hundreds of drownings in South Africa each year are preventable if proper education and the right equipment were at hand. With the deployment of hundreds of pink rescue buoys across South Africa, we hope these life-saving buoys will save lives on South African waters this summer season and for years to come,” Mr Vonk said.
The NSRI asks the public to call 021 434 4011 to report any missing buoys or visit shop.searescue.org.za to sponsor one.
