Pink Rescue Buoy Project Celebrates its 200th Rescue!

Photo Credit: Supplied

The NSRI Pink Rescue Buoy Project is celebrating its 200th life saved since its launch in 2017, thanks to a recent rescue at Fish Hoek Beach!

Fish Hoek, South Africa (08 December 2024) — The NSRI Pink Rescue Buoy Project is celebrating its 200th rescue since its launch, marking a massive milestone for a system that’s saving lives in South Africa!

Since 2017, the Pink Rescue Buoy Project has offered literal lifelines to South African beachgoers. The Pink Buoys are both easy to access and effective in action, making it easier for everyday people to help those facing water peril.

The 200th known rescue came about at the Clovelly corner of Fish Hoek Beach, where a young man and his father were saved from a tricky rip current late last month.

Heartwarmingly, this Pink Buoy had a special story that encompassed a full circle moment:

“Mrs Gerna Conradie sponsored the Pink Buoy used in this rescue in the names of her grandchildren Grace and Daniel Tippet in April 2022. They were on the beach when the Pink Buoy was put in place, making it extra special for us to call Mrs Conradie to tell her that her Pink Buoy had saved a life,” explained NSRI CEO Mike Vonk.

“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,” Mike added.

A Community Safety Game-Changer

Mike further explained that the Pink Rescue Buoy Project has been a game-changer for community safety. Its easy-to-use nature, visibility, and location points have empowered bystanders to act safely and quickly in an emergency while being able to access professional backup, thanks to the emergency number located on the Pink Buoy sign.

“The Pink Rescue Buoy is effective because it enables ordinary people to make a difference. Time is critical in any drowning situation and having these buoys available means that anyone nearby can assist without putting themselves in unneccesary danger. We’ve seen numerous instances where, thanks to a Pink Rescue Buoy, lives that might otherwise have been lost have been saved,” adds NSRI Communication Manager Andrew Ingram.

The team further emphasise the importance of community awareness. Children need to be taught what the Pink Buoys are for and why they should never be removed from their designated poles.

For the Community, by the Community

The Pink Rescue Buoy project and the NSRI’s Water Safety Education and Survival Swimming programs form part of a comprehensive approach to water safety that relies heavily on community engagement. The NSRI’s efforts encourage communities to take responsibility for their local water environments, reduce risks, and ensure that safety is a shared priority.

“We cannot do this alone,” says Andrew. “The community plays a critical role in helping us prevent drownings. Whether it’s a member of the public using a Pink Rescue Buoy to save a life or someone passing on water safety knowledge to a child, every action counts. These collective efforts are what make our programs successful.”

People can get involved in the following ways:

The NSRI urges community members to become “Pink Rescue Buoy volunteers” by reporting any missing Pink Rescue Buoys to the NSRI on 021 434 4011.
The organisation is also continually seeking partnerships with local authorities, schools, and businesses to extend the network of Pink Rescue Buoys and increase the scope of its educational initiatives, who are encouraged to get in touch.
People are also encouraged to sponsor a Pink Rescue Buoy, which you can find out more about here.