After a suspected fatal drowning at the Strand beach on Tuesday, December 10, the public has been reminded to be vigilant and exercise extreme caution when visiting beaches this summer.
According to a statement by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the NSRI Gordon’s Bay duty crew and the City of Cape Town water rescue network were alerted to reports of a drowning incident at Strand beach, just after 9am the morning.
“Reports were received that a local man, appearing to be in difficulty in the surf with a long board, had been rescued from the water assisted by bystanders, but was unresponsive,” said Ryan Holmes, Gordon’s Bay NSRI station commander in the statement.
The 62-year-old man was attended to by emergency services on the scene but was declared dead after resuscitation efforts failed.
According to the City’s Recreation and Parks Department, there has been five fatal drowning incidents at City beaches since the middle of November, with 23-non-fatal drownings recorded since September this year. The City statistics include the death of four adults and one minor.
The other drowning incidents took place at Sunrise, Monwabisi, and Milnerton beaches, with the latest one on Tuesday being the only reported incident at Strand beach.
Mayoral committee member for community services and health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross reminded the public to be mindful of swimming only in designated areas. “These incidents are absolutely heart-breaking. Unfortunately, we are noting the same trend that underpinned all of our fatal drowning incidents last season – all of the incidents have taken place either outside of lifeguard duty hours, or outside of designated bathing areas.
“I want to renew my appeal to the public to please take our golden rules for summer to heart. Our coastline is breath-taking, but there is a reason why we have designated bathing areas, and why we need you to swim under the watchful eye of our lifeguards. Let’s all work together to avoid any further loss of life this season,” she said in a City statement.
Ward 86 councillor Xolani Diniso added his voice to urge beach goers to practice caution, especially when it comes to the safeguarding of their children.
“Firstly, I want to commend the City for once again rolling out their beach safety Identikidz programme this year as it prevents minors or children from getting lost at the beach and I want to encourage each and every parent to register for this programme.
“It will help our parents to be at ease knowing that the child is fitted with the wristband containing details of the parents, but at the same time I want to remind parents that the obligation rests on them to ensure their kids are safe at the beach, to keep an eye on them ensuring that they don’t swim too deep or far away from where parents can see them and the most important thing is that children must never be allowed to go to the beach unattended.”
He wished all residents in his ward a blessed festive season. “They must have a peaceful festive season, be responsible and not drink and drive on our roads,” said Mr Diniso.
The City asks the public to adhere to the following when visiting beaches:
• Only swim where and when lifeguards are on duty, between their red and yellow flags designating the safest bathing areas
• Always actively monitor children in and around water
• Don’t swim under the influence of alcohol
• Beware of rip currents
In emergencies call the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700 from a cell phone and 107 from a landline.
