NSRI appealing for the return of pink rescue buoys
Removal of devices could cost somebody’s life
The NSRI’s pink rescue buoys (PRBs) are public rescue equipment deployed at selected beaches, rivers and dams around SA and have been used to help rescue 177 people that the NSRI knows of. There are PRBs in Kleinemonde, Port Alfred, Kasouga, Kenton and Cannon Rocks. There is also one at Grey Dam, in Makhanda.
They’re bright pink so they can be seen easily. Each is stored on an accessible pole with an explanation of how it should be used.
They have two purposes, the NSRI website explains. First, they are a reminder to take care when there are no lifeguards on duty. Then, if someone does get into difficulty in the water, they can be used to help them stay afloat until help arrives.
The PRB stations also have the NSRI’s emergency number and the buoy’s unique identification number which helps rescue services locate the site precisely. Those details are also embossed on the buoy itself so they can be returned to their posts if they are lost or stolen.
NSRI spokesperson Andrew Ingram said: “Since the project started in late 2017, more than 1,800 of these bright pink emergency flotation devices have been sponsored by individuals and companies and placed strategically around the coastline and at some inland rivers and dams.
“They are designed to provide emergency flotation for those in difficulty in the water and floatation for a rescuer who goes in to help — despite being warned of the danger of doing this.”
The NSRI was constantly identifying additional sites where they could be placed in cooperation with municipal authorities.
The PRBs had caught the imagination of communities as the word spread that they successfully saved lives.
Volunteers, within these communities, look after the PRBs and make sure that they are always ready to be used and the NSRI appealed to the public to assist to identify any faults or missing buoys.
“Unfortunately, we have had a few PRBs stolen over this holiday season. Theft of a PRB may cost someone their life,” Ingram said. “If you see a pole that is a missing a PRB, please call the cell number on the pole to let us know so that we can replace it.
“If you see someone with a PRB and they do not have NSRI identification, it has probably been stolen from a pole. Please ask the person who has it to return it to the pole that they removed it from or to call NSRI so that we can recover the buoy to relocate the buoy to its pole.”
About the NSRI
The NSRI is the charity organisation that saves lives on SA waters — both coastal and inland.
Their goal is to prevent drowning through rescue operations, education and prevention initiatives.
Operating from base stations along the SA coastline, and on inland dams, their rescue volunteers are on call, at all hours, every day of the year.
Their rescue crew receives no payment and neither do they charge the people they rescue.
The NSRI visits schools around the country, teaching children about water safety.
Their drowning prevention measures include their online training academy, with free courses for crew and the public, emergency signage, PRBs for emergency flotation, rescue swimmers, lifeguards and active patrols during peak seasons.
The NSRI is totally reliant on donations and sponsorships.
Visit for more information.