Cameras installed and operated by the National Sea Rescue Institute helped spot and save a 10-year-old boy who could have drowned at Strand Beach earlier this year, and the NSRI are now calling for camera volunteers!
10-year-old Matthew was spotted by the NSRI’s Drowning Prevention camera operator.
He was pulled away from the beach by a rip current and was struggling to stay afloat. After the camera operator spotted him, local lifeguards were alerted immediately.
The family of the young boy will forever be grateful to the eyes behind the camera monitor who was able to spot the child in trouble.
Lezhae Snyders, camera operator at the NSRI’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) describes this day as any ordinary day in the EOC.
“This all changed whilst I was doing my regular monitoring and I saw that someone was in trouble zoomed in to confirm. I quickly alerted the lifeguards who had not yet started their day shift.”
To date, the NSRI beach cameras are strategically placed at beaches that have dangerous RIP currents.
They are in the following areas in the Western Cape:
- Strand Beach
- Blouberg Beach
- Herolds Bay
- Buffels Bay.
The NSRI’s Drowning Prevention Manager Andrew Ingram says the aim is to expand this project into other areas, with more cameras in the Western Cape and KZN by end of this year.
In some areas, the NSRI needs volunteers to man these cameras, especially since their rescue volunteers have a lot on their plates.
Ingram says having volunteers who can assist by monitoring a Beach Safety Camera from the safety of their living room and alert them to any dangers, enables them to save more lives.
“We will provide training to these volunteers on how to operate the cameras and our Emergency Operations Center is always ready to jump in and help should a volunteer need some guidance. In Herolds Bay, we have a pool of volunteers that work closely with the first responders in that area.”
To become a beach camera volunteer email andrewi@searescue.org.za
Watch the incredible moment Matthew was spotted and saved:
