GQEBERHA – The first three Pink Rescue Buoys have been installed in a public space in Nelson Mandela Bay, marking a milestone in efforts to improve water safety and prevent drownings at inland waterways.

Unveiled today (Friday, 24 July) ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on Saturday, the Pink Rescue Buoys have been installed at three identified high-risk locations around North End Lake.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) implemented the project in partnership with the North End Business Cluster and the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, with permission from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.

Pink Rescue Buoys limited to inland waterways

NSRI Station 6 Gqeberha station commander Mark Dawson said the buoys could play a crucial role in emergencies.

“We know there are times, for example, where children fall into the water and if these are here, they can be thrown to those children so that, at the very least, they can help them float until someone can actually help.”

Dawson said the installation marked the first time NSRI rescue buoys had been placed in a public space in Nelson Mandela Bay.

“It has taken a very long time,” he shared with the PE Express. “This whole project started in 2017 and we haven’t been able to put anything up until now and the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber has been completely instrumental in getting this across the line.”

Dawson said the NSRI currently only has permission to install the buoys at inland waterways across the metro.

“At the moment we have permission to install them on all of the inland waterways,” he shared. “Right now, we won’t be installing them at beaches. We hope that can change in the future. But If you look at our statistics, we do get a lot of drownings in rivers and dams, so our first step as the NSRI is to get these installed where we can so we can make a difference.”

Rescue buoy programme continues to grow

More than 2,100 Pink Rescue Buoys have been installed at beaches, dams, rivers and other swimming areas across South Africa since the programme was launched in November 2017, contributing to more than 260 successful bystander rescues nationwide.

North End Business Cluster chairman Geoff Mendelowitz said the organisation was committed to supporting projects that improve community safety.

“We are passionate about what we do and hope we can make a difference.”

The initiative was made possible through a R6,000 sponsorship from the North End Business Cluster, which funded the three buoys at R2,000 each.

Mendelowitz added that more Pink Rescue Buoys were needed across Nelson Mandela Bay.

“Anywhere that you have open water and a lake, there is always a risk,” he said. “We are aware that a lot of youngsters still can’t swim and get into trouble in the water. If it could save a life, job done, and we are happy.”

A further two Pink Rescue Buoys are expected to be installed at Van Stadens River Resort in the coming weeks through sponsorship from Buhlebendalo Properties, with the NSRI hoping to expand the initiative to more dams and rivers across Nelson Mandela Bay.

ALSO READ: Two young surfers save a friend in distress with pink rescue buoy