The NSRI Pink Buoys are life-saving tools for the general public to help aid in rescue while they wait for qualified sea rescuers to arrive on the scene.
South Africa (18 September 2020) – The NSRI Pink buoys are placed across beaches in South Africa as a way to help prevent drowning. The concept of the buoy is for the public to use the buoy while they wait for a lifeguard or the emergency services.
The NSRI released their pink buoys in 2017 after noticing a similarity in the various scenarios where drownings occurred.
‘In a typical scenario Sea Rescue gets an emergency call for a swimmer in difficulty and, when we get there, we find two or more people in danger of drowning.
Tragically, sometimes we are not able to get there in time and someone drowns. Usually the person who does not survive is the kind person who went into the water to try and help a person in difficulty.’
They then developed the buoy as an emergency system, with clear graphics and an emergency number so that members of the community can safely assist a person struggling in the ocean. Since the innovation was launched, the buoy won the 2018 IMRF award for Innovation and Technology in Maritime Search and Rescue.
A further 20 pink buoys will be placed on beaches around South Africa’s Wild Coast thanks to a new donation.
“20 #SeaRescue Pink Rescue Buoys are on the way to the Wild Coast for the summer season.
With buy-in from the locals we hope that the Pink Buoys will remind locals and holidaymakers alike to respect the Wild Coast water!
Thank you to The Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (FEM) for sponsoring them!”
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These buoys are an important tool for water safety so if you spot a board and no buoy, give your local NSRI a call to notify them. These buoys save lives!
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