Saldanha Bay Municipality continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to public safety through the implementation of a comprehensive Beach Safety Programme, initiated as part of the Municipality’s operational plan for the current financial year.
The programme has been established to enhance safety capacity at municipal beaches and swimming facilities, while simultaneously creating employment and accredited training opportunities for young people within the Saldanha Bay Municipal area. With the Municipality’s coastline remaining a popular destination, particularly during peak holiday periods, this initiative forms a critical component of SBM’s preventative and proactive approach to reducing drowning incidents.
Strategic Partnerships
The programme is implemented through a broad network of stakeholders and partners under the Saldanha Bay Safety Initiative (SBSI) framework. These include, among others:
South African Police Service (SAPS) and SAPS Sea Border Unit; Forensic Services and the Forensic Pathology Service (Western Cape Government); Department of Health and Wellness and Vredenburg Provincial Hospital; Emergency Medical Services (EMS); West Coast Medical Rescue; South African National Parks (SANParks); Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment; National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI); Department of Social Development; Sea Harvest Foundation; Aquarius Mogs; Pick n Pay IPIC Vredenburg; Dischem Weskus Mall Vredenburg; Sweet Bonanza Vredenburg; Prinro Vredenburg; Think Water; Avedia Energy; Vaalmac Saldanha; Westarcor Engineering; Captain’s Cabin Saldanha; and Cartol Saldanha.
Role of the Municipality
Saldanha Bay’s beaches experience significant visitor influxes during the December/January festive season and over Easter. This increase in beach usage heightens the risk of drowning, which has been formally identified as a safety concern. Beach safety has therefore been prioritised as a key municipal deliverable, with the Municipality actively pursuing the deployment of trained lifeguards at recognised and high-use beaches.
Role of the National Sea Rescue Institute
The National Sea Rescue Institute plays a pivotal role by providing professional lifeguard training, ensuring that all deployed seasonal lifeguards are fully trained, competent, and qualified to operate in identified beach areas.
Lifeguard Deployment
A total of 16 seasonal lifeguards will be deployed from 15 December 2025 to 15 January 2026, operating daily from 10:00 to 18:00. In addition, lifeguard services will also be provided over the Easter weekend period.
Deployment will be as follows:
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Saldanha Hoedjiesbaai – 3 lifeguards
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Saldanha beach adjacent to the resort (Piff) – 3 lifeguards
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Paternoster – 3 lifeguards
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Laingville – 3 lifeguards
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Langebaan at Leentjiesklip – 2 lifeguards
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Diazville at Tabakbaai Swimming Pool – 2 lifeguards
These locations were selected as they represent the most prominent, high-influx beach and swimming areas within the municipal boundaries.
Visibility and Identification
To ensure clear visibility and easy identification, lifeguards will wear:
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Yellow T-shirts with SBM Lifeguard printed on the back and Lifeguard with the SBM logo on the front
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Red shorts with Lifeguard printed in yellow on the front and back
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Red jackets printed with Lifeguard in yellow
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Khaki SBM bush hats