Shark Alarm Plettenberg Bay

The NSRI enhances beach safety at Plett with innovative technology.

The NSRI continues to lead in beach safety innovation with the latest addition to its Beach Safety Camera Network Project: a second shark alarm installed at Hobie Beach in Plettenberg Bay.

This project, initiated in 2020, was the first in South Africa to include a powerful Pan Tilt Zoom beach safety camera on the roof of the Beacon Isle Hotel and an alarm system on the NSRI station at Central Beach.

The latest edition to this network is a remote pole with flashing warning lights and sirens at Hobie Beach. The NSRI Beach Safety and Shark Alarm system now covers Central Beach to Wedge Beach.

Specifically designed for Sea Rescue and beach safety, it helps remote NSRI camera operators spot rip currents and sharks and monitor areas to assist lifeguards and NSRI Rescue Swimmers.

The Beach Safety Camera Network Project has already garnered an award for its life-saving innovation of using volunteer camera operators to help professionals based in NSRI’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in Milnerton, Cape Town.

“The first PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera was installed in Strand, Cape Town and today we operate six Beach Safety Cameras in Strand, Blouberg, Herolds Bay, Kleinmond, Plettenberg Bay, and Buffelsbaai,” said NSRI Communications Manager Andrew Ingram.

“However, Plettenberg Bay is the only location equipped with an alarm system, which we have now extended using a wireless network to Hobie Beach,” he said.

Jason Kampel from Delve Aquatic Systems designed the NSRI Beach Safety Camera system and installed the alarm.

“The Plett shark alarm and Beach Safety Camera are shared with Shark Spotters, Lifeguards, and the Beach Control office, all of whom can activate the alarm using a remote,” said Jason.

“This partnership with the Shark Spotters, Lifeguards and the Beach Control, all working together to make the central Plettenberg Bay beaches safe, make this project unique,” he said.

Station 14 Plettenberg Bay Station Commander Jaco Kruger strongly supports the Shark Alarm and camera system. “The benefit of having a quality camera and alarm linked to our EOC and ops room is extremely impactful,” he said.

“I know we like to refer to it as a shark camera, but it’s bather safety out-and-out,” Jaco said. He highlighted the camera’s capability to zoom all the way to the river mouth, aiding in various rescue operations and integrating efforts between lifeguards, shark spotters, and NSRI teams.

“It’s a multi-purpose tool, and it’s definitely the future. We aim to have these cameras and alarms rolled out on at least three or four main beaches. As time passes, this concept will prove the value of having an early warning system,” Jaco continued. He emphasised the system’s effectiveness in swiftly alerting lifeguards and beachgoers about potential dangers.

“The alarm system itself is a major blessing; it works so well now that we’ve upgraded it with the first remote alarm and warning lights at Hobie Beach. With funding, we can add poles with wireless alarms and solar panels every kilometre up and down the beach,” Jaco noted, underscoring the system’s significant contribution to enhancing beach safety.

“The NSRI Beach Safety Camera Network Project, especially the Plettenberg Bay shark alarm and the newly installed remote alarm which covers Hobie Beach to Wedge, showcases the potential of integrating technology with traditional rescue methods to create a safer beach experience for everyone, he said.

“Watch this space: the NSRI Beach Safety Cameras and Alarms are going to be the number one tool. When used in conjunction with simple ideas such as our Pink Rescue Buoys, they will save lives, change lives, and create futures in this country. It is the way forward,“ said Jaco.