Placed strategically on signs at selected inland rivers, dams and at beaches, these bright pink buoys act as a reminder to take care if there are no lifeguards on duty, and that in the event of someone getting into difficulty in the water, they can be used as emergency flotation until help arrives. Their bright pink colour allows them to be easily seen.
Each Pink Rescue Buoy is housed on a sturdy pole with signage showing how they should be used, as well as the NSRI’s emergency number and the buoy’s unique identification number, which helps rescue services to identify the location of the emergency. ID numbers and NSRI's contact telephone numbers are also embossed on the buoys themselves so they can easily be returned to their posts after usage, or if they are lost or stolen.
Watch the video below of how good samaritans battle the elements in race against time to save 2 fishermen with the help of a Pink Rescue Buoy.
A Pink Rescue Buoy costs R2,000 at our Online Store.
The NSRI has three core Drowning Prevention programmes – Water Safety Education, Pink Rescue Buoys and Survival Swimming – and offers a range of free resources and educational materials.
Become a Pink Rescue Buoy Custodian
Since the project started in November 2017, over 1 900 Pink Rescue Buoys have been installed around South Africa and more than 190 lives have been saved through their use. This would not have been possible without the generous support of donors and sponsors, and buy-in from city councils, municipalities and communities around the country. We urge everyone to please take care of them, and report stolen buoys to us by calling 087 094 9774, or filling out the form below.
“Untrained people are going to the aid of someone who is in danger of drowning despite being advised not to. Our Pink Rescue Buoys use simple graphics to explain that it is safer to throw the float to someone and call the emergency number on the sign for help. But if someone does go into the water despite being advised not to, they have a very good chance of survival if they take flotation with them. In the rescues that we have recorded no rescuer was injured and all rescues were successful”
From December 12, 2024, to January 18, 2025, you can donate your Ðiscovery Miles through the Discovery app or Discovery Bank app. This is a unique opportunity to turn your fitness achievements into life-saving contributions that directly support three vital projects:
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is proud to announce the ongoing success of its Pink Rescue Buoy initiative. Since its launch in 2017, the initiative has been used to rescue more than 200 people.
On 26 October 2024, Kleinmond Main Beach, Western Cape, saw two lifesaving rescues thanks to a Pink Rescue Buoy (PRB) sponsored by the Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (FEM).
What began as a post-match relaxation on a water polo tour quickly became a dramatic life-saving effort, all thanks to 16-year-old Brinn Chivell’s quick thinking and the NSRI’s Pink Rescue Buoys.
Unexpected situations at the beach can turn deadly within moments, especially when it comes to rip currents.
In response to the tragic drowning of Pierre Lotter, Willem Pretorius, and their three Dachshund dogs at Kids Rock, the NSRI has installed two Pink Rescue Buoys at Kleinbaai, Bloubergstrand.
