Too Many Drownings

Over seven days, from Sunday 25 January to Sunday 1 February, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) responded to over thirty rescue incidents across South Africa. Sadly, at least ten people have drowned or are missing, many of them teenagers.

Thirty-nine people were rescued from the water during the same period. These included a mass rescue at Kleinmond Main Beach involving nine people swept out by rip currents, as well as individual and group rescues along the coast in Gordons Bay, Wilderness, Hout Bay, and East London.

“This has been an extremely difficult week,” said Brett Ayres, NSRI Chief Operating Officer. “Our crews responded to multiple drownings and non-fatal drownings across the country. Each of these tragedies is a stark reminder that water activities are never without risk.”

The drownings occurred across a wide geographic area – from KZN to the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape – and involved both coastal and inland waters.

Among the fatalities, a concerning pattern has emerged:

• Teenagers between the ages of 14 and 16 made up a significant portion of those reported missing or deceased.
• Many incidents occurred during a full moon spring tide, which contributes to stronger rip currents and more powerful tidal flows.
• One fatal drowning occurred in a dam on Table Mountain, and another at the Kanana Dam near Rustenburg.

“We are seeing the same risk factors repeating: young people swimming in unguarded areas, rip currents not recognised, and well-meaning bystander rescuers also getting into difficulty,” said Andrew Ingram, NSRI Communications Manager.

“Rip currents are fast, narrow channels of water that pull swimmers away from the shore,” explained Ingram. They’re hard to spot and incredibly dangerous – especially when combined with a spring tide, which we experienced last week.”

However, not all drownings occurred at the ocean. “The two drownings in dams are a painful reminder that inland water can be just as hazardous, even when it appears shallow and calm,” added Ingram.

Despite the tragedies, NSRI and emergency responders and members of the public using Pink Buoys successfully rescued 39 people during this period:

• Nine people, including teenagers and parents, were rescued in a mass rescue at Kleinmond Main Beach using NSRI Pink Rescue Buoys.
• A 47-year-old woman was rescued after being swept off rocks near Gordons Bay.
• Two seafarers were medically evacuated from a ship off Richards Bay.
• Multiple kayakers and small craft operators were assisted after mechanical failures or capsizes.

“These rescues highlight how critical flotation devices, early calls for help, and coordinated responses are in saving lives,” said Ingram. “Good Samaritans, lifeguards, and our volunteer crews all played key roles in preventing more tragedy.”

In the wake of this devastating week, the NSRI urges the public to follow these water safety principles:

• Drinking alcohol before swimming or taking part in a water-related activity puts your life at risk.
• Choose to swim at beaches where lifeguards are on duty, and stay between the flags.
• Supervise children closely at all times – especially teens, who remain at high risk.
• Float if caught in a rip current. Don’t panic – swim out of the current parallel to the shore.
• Never attempt a rescue without taking something that floats with you, and call for help before entering the water.
• Treat inland waters with extreme caution. Fresh water has less buoyancy than salt water and needs more energy to stay afloat.
• Download the NSRI SafeTrx App for safer boating and paddling.

“Summer is far from over,” said Ayres. “As we continue to enjoy our coastline and inland waters, we must remember that safety is everyone’s responsibility. These incidents are tragic. We urge the public to remain vigilant, informed, and prepared.”