New lifesaving towers set to hit the sand in time for summer

Saturday, 23 June 2018 11:39

By Jordan Pieterse

Mandurah, Port Bouvard and Secret Harbour have been listed among 10 beaches set to receive a new lifesaving tower by next summer.

Yesterday Surf Life Saving WA unveiled the first of the ten new observation towers at City Beach.

According to Manager Chris Peck the elevated towers will enhance surveillance capabilities and enable a whole beach view for lifesavers.

"Surveillance is the cornerstone of what we do as lifesavers," he said.

"We know that despite our constant calls for beachgoers to swim between the flags, where they are most visible to surf lifesavers, not everyone adheres to this practice. The surf lifesaving mantra of 'if we can't see you, we can't save you' is a message we have been sharing with the public for nearly a century and our ability to respond relies directly on this."

The non-permanent towers have an elevated platform, around 3 metres high, providing lifesavers with improved surveillance perspectives.

"The visibility of these towers, which we envisage will become a beacon of safety on these beaches, will also ensure that if the beach using public need assistance, they know where to find our lifesavers quickly," said Mr Peck.

The ten beaches listed to receive the new towers are Mandurah, Secret Harbour, Port Bouvard, Bunbury, Coogee, City Beach, Scarborough, Sorrento and Mullaloo.

It is expected that all ten of the surveillance towers will be installed by the start of summer.

PIC: Surf Life Saving WA