Pink buoy saves life
With the summer season in full swing, packed local beaches are signalling a busy time for sea rescuers.
This has been especially true for Plettenberg Bay volunteers who have had to assist in two incidents over the past weekend.
On Friday, just before 05:00, the Plettenberg Bay National Sea Rescue Institute duty crew was informed of drowning at Central Beach.
Deputy station commander Ross Badenhorst said local rescuers responded immediately, but on arrival found no one in difficulty.
“On investigation, it was confirmed that a male bystander had used an NSRI pink rescue buoy, stationed at Central Beach, to assist a man who had been in difficulty in the surf line and both were safely out the water,” Badenhorst said.
“We also commend the bystanders who used the information on the pink rescue buoy signboard to raise the alarm,” he added.
Just a few hours later, at 07:11, fishermen spotted a surfer in difficulty in almost 2m sea swells at The Gap along the Robberg Peninsula. “It appeared that the surfer was attempting to paddle out of danger but was caught in rip currents,” said Badenhorst.
The sea rescue craft, Free Runner, was launched and reached the 22-year-old local man who had been about 700m offshore, according to Badenhorst. “They took him on board and brought him to the shore safely. Once safely ashore, he required no further assistance.”
All the town’s beaches were also closed by lifeguard services for several hours on Friday due to rough sea conditions.
Beachgoers are warned to adhere to lifeguard instructions while making use of local beaches.
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Source: Knysna Plett Herald News