DIANI BEACHES GET PRIVATE SECTOR DRIVEN SEA RESCUE
(Posted 11th November 2015)
The South Coast Residents Association, which brings together resorts, hotels, restaurants, businesses and of course local residents, has just announce the formation of a sea rescue team, available to be on call in case of emergencies. Recent drowings at sea but also some cases of individuals drowning when swimming have caused rising concern that preventative measures needed to be put into place, and SCRA’s Luciana Parazzi Basile made the announcement earlier in the week that a rescue team was to be formed.
Wrote Luciana in a mail received by this correspondent:
Start quote:
As already informed some of you and further to sea drownings, SCRA in conjunction with the Kwale County Government (KCG) and the Kenya Red Cross (KRC) have already started “KWALE SEA RESCUE” (see the SCRA Face Book page).
We already have some equipment such as emergency boats, jet ski, an ambulance with paramedics, life jackets and some signage on the beach with emergency numbers to contact, but as we move along to turn this project into a proper and professional operation, we will be asking from time to time SCRA members to help out by donating some equipment etc.
For a start, we are about to start recruiting youth to train as beach rescue units. As soon as these lads have been recruited, step 2 will be to ensure they all know how to swim hence they will be trained in the ocean. If you see these youth on the beach during training, please do stop and encourage them, or even give David Aisthorpe who will be doing the training, a hand.
If any members can donate swim wear, both for men and women and some towels, in good condition, we would appreciate. These items can be left at the Eye Centre CHARITY SHOP at the Diani Beach Shopping Centre and marked: Attention : Luciana.
On the SCRA side the main players are Denis Moser, David Aisthorpe and Susan Carvalho (who is doing an incredible amount of work) and the SCRA Chair. If any members wish to come on board and help – there is so much to be done!!!! – please do contact me.
End quote
As repeatedly mentioned here in the past are such private sector initiatives often leading to the public sector without much choice but to come on board, all aimed of course to improving safety and security along Diani’s award winning beaches. Kudos to Luciana and her team and the members of SCRA for stepping up whenever circumstances require swift and decisive action, to, as in this case, save lives.
