Drowning prevention pilot project proves successful in Port Edward

Port Edward on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast was free from fatal drowning incidents over the festive season, and on Monday, the cooperation between the various rescue and emergency entities saw the sucessful rescue of two teenagers.

This cooperation is between National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Port Edward, the South African Police Services, Tower 13 Lifeguards, the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, Port Edward Rate Payers Association and the Emergency Services who embarked on a drowning prevention pilot project.

According to NSRI Port Edward duty controller, Alan Stilwell, local Port Edward resident Alwyn Carstens said he was playing with his child on the beach when he saw the two teenagers were caught in rip currents offshore.

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Stilwell said Carstens’ first reaction was to look across to the signboard on the wall of the lifeguard building and call the NSRI Port Edward emergency phone number which is displayed.

The call then set off the practised sequence of alerting the NSRI and the emergency services to the drowning in progress at 5.56pm on Monday, said Stilwell.

“NSRI rescue swimmers raced to the scene and the two teenagers, caught in rip currents, about 40 meters offshore in the surf zone were rescued by the NSRI rescue swimmers and brought safely to shore and, after being medically checked, they required no further assistance,” said Stilwell.

“We commend Alwyn for his quick thinking and quick actions that contributed to the two teenagers lives being saved.”

– Caxton News Service

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