Amanzimtoti plans to keep you safe this festive season
Recreational facilities will be staffed and operational between 9am and 6pm, except for the days when the beaches are closed.
Although lockdown and restrictions cast a dark shadow over occupancy and the hospitality industry, Toti is gearing up for what roleplayers believe could be a record influx of day visitors. So said André Beetge, convener of the south Festive Season Management Committee (FESMAC) security cluster.
For FESMAC planning purposes in the South, the festive season will run from 1 December to 31 January and recreational facilities (except were otherwise indicated) will be staffed and operational between 9am and 6pm, seven days per week, except for the days when the beaches are closed.
Aquatic safety beaches
Beach manager, Jace Govender will be supported by three senior lifeguards in charge of 24 lifeguards, two senior lifeguards in charge of 30 seasonal lifeguards and one senior clerk and radio controller operating from 031-322-9043/44. “We are excited that three long-awaited 4×4 replacement vehicles were delivered on Tuesday, 8 December. With district five being the only area to receive new vehicles alongside boats, quads and other equipment in 2019, and with all lifeguards having recently passed all compliances, it makes us possibly the best equipped aquatic safety contingent in the entire 100km of eThekwini coastline.”
READ ALSO: Amanzimtoti paddler smashes world record
Bathing beaches for the duration of the festive season are Umgababa, Winkelspruit, Warner Beach, Toti Main Beach, Pipeline, Reunion, all open from 9am to 6pm, Inyoni North and Inyoni South, open from 9am to 5pm.
Patrol beaches (no bathing allowed) are the river mouth, Tiger Rocks, Twini Beach, Baggies Beach, Sub Way and Umgababa South from 9am to 5pm.
Separated children
At Amanzimtoti Main Beach, identification wrist bands will be available and issued by Durban Tourism to parents on the beach for their young children to wear. Child minders will be deployed during the day and separated children will be kept at the facilities on site. Children not reunited with their parents by 6pm will be taken to an overnight facility in Durban Central. At all other beaches lifeguards will manage all short-term separated children and those not reunited with their parents by 6pm will be taken to the overnight facility in Durban Central.
Beach cleansing
All public changerooms and toilet facilities will be open from 9am to 6pm. Should circumstances necessitate, hours will be extended to 10pm in the interest of upholding required hygiene standards. Beach cleansing staff will be supported by an additional 30 seasonal general assistants from 10 December to 31 January. A total of 34 portable toilets will be deployed and cleaned every third day from 10 December until 31 January at Umkomaas South Bank (four), Umgababa Beach (eight), Winkelspruit Main Beach (four), Warner Beach sports field (four), Toti Promenade (four), Shad Place (four), Tiger Rocks North (two) and the river mouth (four).
Beach law enforcement
Four officers will be on duty in staggered shifts, with the option to extend hours if so required. A total of 48 day shift security officers will be deployed across all beaches, with a night shift contingent for Amanzimtoti and Pipeline beaches.
READ ALSO: Warner Beach fishing queen keen to cast next year
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