Coast KZN

State of the Coast: KZN
State of the Coast: KZN

State of the Coast: KwaZulu-Natal Chapter 1: Introduction & Background Chapter 2: Overarching Drivers Chapter 3: Climate Variability
Chapter 4: Coastal Environment Chapter 5: Estuarine Environment Chapter 6: Marine Environment Chapter 7: Human Environment Chapter 8: Economic Environment
Chapter 9: Governance Environment Chapter 10: Conclusions
The Profile of the KZN Coast
The Profile of the KZN Coast

Ugu Lwethu- Our Coast Defining the Coastal Zone The Physical and Coastal Environment Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Coastal and Marine Species Migrations The Human Dimension Socio-Economic Uses of the Coast Commercial Resource Uses
Pressures and Threats Management of the Coastal and Marine Environments Understanding our Coast
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Access RoutesBoat Launch SitesThe Human DimensionCoastal Access: Stats & Facts
Estuaries
Estuaries

What is an Estuary? Know your Estuaries Estuary Health and Conservation KZN Estuary Observer Programme
Historical Time Series Estuary Mouth Status Sand Mining
Recreation
Recreation

Fish TaggingAccess RoutesBlue Flag Beaches
Coastal risk and vulnerability
Coastal risk and vulnerability

Coastal Risk LinesExtreme EventsCoastal ErosionKZN Coastal Vulnerability IndexPollution
Coastal issues
Coastal issues

PollutionSand MiningCoastal ErosionNurdlesUPL Chemical Spill
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03 Jan 2023

Four sea rescues in new year continue excellent festive safety record

James Anderson (North Coast Courier) Picture: Stock Image, July 2022. KwaDukuza lifeguards and other stakeholders have been working extra hours to ensure the safety of locals and tourists alike this festive season

Despite a massive influx of holidaymakers and local visitors, KwaDukuza has so far recorded no drownings at any of its beaches this festive season. Four potentially dangerous situations have been managed successfully in 2023, with two rescues at Salmon Bay in the last two days the most recent.

Yesterday afternoon, a woman in her early 20’s was swimming at the unprotected Salmon Bay Beach when she got into difficulty beyond the break. An onlooker from the Ballito Ski-boat Club – a man in his 30’s – saw the need for intervention and grabbed an NSRI pink rescue buoy before swimming out to meet the woman.

The pink buoy is a flotation device meant to aid in rescues and is placed at many unprotected beaches countrywide.

The two men whose boat overturned this morning were quickly assisted by members of the Ski-boat Club.
Photo: Medi Response KZN.

“The man was able to get to her and assist, with both making it back to the beach exhausted but unharmed and needing no further medical intervention,” said Medi Response KZN spokesperson, Paul Herbst.

At the same beach, a small boat overturned in the mid-break at around 6 am this morning.The skipper and passenger, both men in their 20’s, were dumped in the water.

“Members of the Ski-boat Club were again quick to act, helping both men back onto the shore within minutes and recovering the boat. All were unharmed,” said Herbst.

January 1st saw two further incidents; one in which three kayakers were rescued by KwaDukuza lifeguards at Salt Rock Main Beach, the other involving a rescue at Tinley Manor by Ballito NSRI station commander, Quentin Power.

The season has not been completely free from drownings, however, and tragically two teenagers died in separate incidents at a dam near Stanger and in the Umvoti River over the past week.

But at KwaDukuza’s beaches where most of the safety effort has been concentrated, it has been one of the best-managed festive periods in recent memory. It has been the result of a coordinated exercise from all stakeholders, including the KwaDukuza municipality, lifeguards, National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), Saps, Ballito UIP and local security and medical providers.

“We have seen a massive turnout at our beaches this year. It might be double pre-Covid festive numbers because we are also getting local tourism from Durban with worries about their water quality,” said KwaDukuza lifeguard superintendent, Bongani Xulu.

Xulu estimates that his team have undertaken around 100 rescues since the period started in early December.

“I am really proud of the guys for being in the right position to prevent the incidents from becoming more serious. We have only had a few near-drownings and thankfully no drownings at all on the beaches,” said Xulu.

He credited a combined effort from stakeholders to keep alcohol off the beaches, which in turn led to fewer avoidable issues. Lifeguards have also been working extended hours from 6 am-6 pm, often leaving at 8 or 9 pm to ensure that all bathers had left the beaches. These hours will continue for most of January, with Xulu hopeful they can be extended through the summer months into April.

“The guys are exhausted but will absolutely work the extra time to ensure everyone’s safety,” said Xulu.

 

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