NSRI
The National Sea Rescue Institute said it had installed another shark alarm at Hobie Beach in Plettenberg Bay as part of ongoing efforts to improve beach safety.
In a statement on Friday, the NSRI said this was the latest addition to its Beach Safety Camera Network Project, following the installation of a powerful camera on the roof of the Beacon Isle Hotel and an alarm system at the NSRI station at Central Beach in 2020.
“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,” said communications manager, Andrew Ingram.
He said it was specifically designed for sea rescue and beach safety, and helps remote NSRI camera operators to spot rip currents and sharks, and monitor areas to assist lifeguards and rescue swimmers.
“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,” Ingram said.
However, he said Plettenberg Bay was the only location equipped with an alarm system, which has now been extended using a wireless network.
The NSRI said Jason Kampel from Delve Aquatic Systems designed their 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.
“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,” Kampel 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," Kruger said
