In a bid to keep beach-goers safe this festive season, the City of Cape Town will be deploying 340 lifeguards to beaches across the city. Image: canva
Cape Town big on beach safety this festive season
In a bid to keep beach-goers safe this festive season, the City of Cape Town will be deploying 340 lifeguards to beaches across the city.
In a bid to keep beach-goers safe this festive season, the City of Cape Town will be deploying 340 lifeguards to beaches across the city. Image: canva
More lifeguards and patrols at Cape Town beaches
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis recently launched the City’s Festive Beach Safety plans, highlighting the need for more beach safety than ever this festive season.
According to the City, as part of the largest ever festive season safety operation, they will be deploying 330 policing personnel and 340 lifeguards to beaches across the metro during the busy holiday season.
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“Cape Town is ready to welcome the world to our beautiful, clean, Blue Flag beaches. For your safety, the City is deploying 330 policing personnel dedicated to specific beaches across the City. This includes special Beach Joint Operational Centres (JOCs). Over 4 000 uniformed enforcement and emergency personnel will be available as part of the City’s largest ever safety deployment over a festive season,” Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said in a statement.
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‘Drowning prevention campaign’
The City will also kick off a drowning prevention campaign, where they will deploy 340 beach lifeguards and 343 swimming pool lifeguards. Beach lifeguards are on duty between 10:00 and 18:00 daily.
“Last summer Cape Town’s beach lifeguards were able to ensure no fatal drownings during their duty hours at designated bathing areas. There were also no fatal drownings recorded at public swimming pools.” Councillor Patricia van der Ross, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health said.
“Of concern, is that all 19 of the fatal drownings at beaches last summer occurred outside of designated bathing areas or when lifeguards were off duty. We appeal to the public to be alert, even if you are a strong swimmer. Always swim between the red and yellow flags designating the safest swimming area, and listen to the instructions of our lifeguards. They are there for your safety and peace of mind,” Councillor van der Ross added.
