The Shark Spotters’ primary goal is to alert the public when a shark is spotted however, over the weekend the team saw a surfer in distress and called the NSRI to help.
False Bay, South Africa (12 December 2022) – Shark Spotters keeping an eye out above Bailey’s Cottage in Muizenberg caught sight of a surfer in distress and called the NSRI. The team keeps a lookout for sharks but every once in a while, they spot a person in need of assistance too.
Shark Spotters are located along the Western Cape shoreline, usually based in areas with higher shark activity. The initiative was started in 2004, by Greg Bertish, and Dave and Fiona Chudleigh, in response to a spate of shark bite incidents and increased shark sightings. Shark Spotters is now the primary shark safety strategy used in Cape Town.
They have implemented several initiatives that help protect beachgoers from sharks. You can find out more about the organisation here.
The team on duty on the 9th of December 2022, played a vital role in helping a surfer having a bit of trouble. This incident was unrelated to sharks; the team just happened to notice the surfer and alerted the NSRI.
Nicolette Whitehead, NSRI Strandfontein station commander, said the incident took place at 08h24, Friday, 9 December. She shared that the NSRI Simonstown, NSRI Strandfontein and the CoCT water rescue network were activated following reports from CoCT shark spotters of a surfer appearing to be in difficulty off-shore of Bailey’s Cottage, Muizenberg.
“NSRI rescue craft were launched while NSRI rescue swimmers, CoCT Law Enforcement officers and CoCT shark spotters responded.
Local surfers, who noticed a young female in difficulty, went to her aid.
Local surfers reached the female and were able to tow her safely to the beach where Netcare 911 paramedics medically assessed the female finding her to be not injured.
All emergency resources were released.
We commend the local surfers for their assistance.”
Thanks to the surfers in the water and the Shark Spotter team above the beach, the young lady was aided and kept safe from any further danger.
by 