Pink rescue buoys positioned along Cape Town’s coastline could make the difference between life and death, prompting the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) to call on residents to help protect the lifesaving equipment, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The appeal comes after several pink rescue buoys went missing or were stolen from their designated stands. NSRI Station 14 has thanked members of the public who have reported missing equipment and helped the organisation identify which installations need attention.
Although as many missing buoys as possible have been replaced, the organisation says continued community involvement is essential to keeping them available when emergencies happen.
Rescue buoys have helped save 259 lives
According to the NSRI, more than 2 100 Pink Rescue Buoys have been deployed across South Africa. Together, these installations have contributed to saving 259 lives.
The equipment is designed to give members of the public a way to assist someone who is struggling in the water while waiting for professional rescue teams to arrive.
This means the buoys are not simply safety installations along the coastline. They provide an opportunity for ordinary beachgoers and passers-by to potentially prevent a drowning.
However, when a buoy is stolen, damaged or missing, that opportunity disappears until the equipment is replaced.
NSRI asks residents to report missing equipment
NSRI Station 14 is encouraging the public to remain alert and help prevent further losses.
Residents and visitors are asked to report any pink rescue buoy that has disappeared from its stand, as well as suspicious activity involving the installations. Anyone who witnesses someone stealing or tampering with the equipment is also encouraged to alert the station.
The appeal highlights the role local communities can play in protecting public safety infrastructure.
With hundreds of lives already saved through the national Pink Rescue Buoy programme, keeping these devices accessible and in good condition remains important.
A missing rescue buoy may seem like a small loss, but when someone finds themselves in trouble in the water, having that equipment available could make all the difference.
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