City, NSRI throw parks a lifeline
24 March 2023
City of Cape Town Recreation and Parks Department in collaboration with the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), has
launched a pilot project for the deployment of the pink rescue buoy initiative
for dams at Recreation and Parks facilities to ensure water safety.
The Recreation and Parks Department is mandated with drowning prevention within the boundaries of the City of Cape Town. To this end, lifeguards are contracted to provide manned bathing areas at municipal swimming pools and beaches during the summer season. The City has supported the NSRI's Pink Rescue Buoy initiative since its inception, with many of these already installed along the coastline at remote locations removed from the designated manned bathing areas.
Majik Forest is the first Recreation and Parks facility to receive five Pink Rescue Buoys (PRBs) at two dams that are not suitable for swimming but nonetheless pose a drowning risk. The NSRI submitted a request to the City's Recreation and Parks Department for the installation of Pink Rescue Buoys at facilities with open fresh water bodies within its jurisdiction. This initiative was rolled out at Majik Forest on 18 March 2023.
Majik Forest is a natural haven popular for taking long walks and family picnics. It has an extraordinary variety of plant species within its 59-hectare precinct, with more than 100 Renosterveld fynbos plant species and 500 indigenous trees. The area encompasses two dams (Fynbos Dam and Amandel Dam).
The location of the buoys will be at the Upper (Amandel) Dam:
- 1 PRB under the central (largest) tree on the southern shore, close to a park bench.
- 2 PRBs, one on either side of the overflow weir.
Lower (Fynbos) Dam:
- 1 PRB is located near the southern shore under a tree.
- 1 PRB under trees at the eastern end of the southern shore, near the overflow.
Signage at each location will inform users that the water is not suitable for recreational use and provide emergency contact information for the City and NSRI.
The roll out of this initiative at facilities other than Recreation and Parks managed water bodies would require further collaboration between a number of role-players. For this reason, the Majik Forest dams were selected as the first pilot location.
'We recognise the drowning risk at open water bodies and welcome the installation of Pink Rescue Buoys to reduce this risk. Children who live near open water sources, such as canals, ponds, irrigation channels, or pools are especially at risk of drowning. We appeal to all parents and guardians to actively supervise children when in or around water. Anyone visiting or accessing areas with water should have a safety-conscious mindset at all times,' said Councillor Patricia van der Ross, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health.
The NSRI welcomes this collaboration especially since most of the drownings in South Africa happen in fresh water. 'We know of 144 people who have been rescued with the help of a Pink Rescue Buoy. All inland water rescues that we know of have been successful and no harm has come to any rescuer,' said Andrew Ingram, Drowning Prevention Manager, NSRI.
'The Recreation and Parks Department will continue to strive towards its vision of eliminating accidental drownings in Cape Town through partnerships, projects and co-ordinated action to reduce incidents. Ultimately, people are responsible for their own safety. Rules are in place for a reason, and we encourage visitors to follow them,' added Councillor van der Ross.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
