Vodacom has confirmed a sponsorship agreement with Netcare and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) to sponsor five sea rescue helicopters that will take to the sky from 1 December 2005 and will patrol the country`s beaches during the festive season.
The Vodacom Netcare Rescue Helicopters will be accessible to the public through Netcare`s 082 911 call centre infrastructure. Netcare will provide the fully equipped helicopter with medical supplies and rescue volunteers.
Vodacom`s sponsorship of the helicopters is an extension of its existing relationship with the NSRI. The five helicopters will compliment the emergency and rescue services by providing the advantage of speed, aerial observation, pinpoint rescue techniques, manoeuvrability and landing agility, the company says. They will also provide essential support to lifeguards on patrolled beaches.
The helicopters will be deployed on the KwaZulu-Natal coastlines of Durban and Margate, the Western Cape coastline of Cape Town and George, and the Eastern Cape coastline of Port Elizabeth.
The helicopter in Durban will be deployed year-round and Cape Town`s beach will be guarded from November to April while George, Port Elizabeth and Margate will be guarded during the festive periods of December and April. The rescue service will operate during the day only, says the NSRI.
"When you are in the water, every second counts and no matter how good our rescue service is, response time is critical. The launch of the Vodacom Netcare Rescue Helicopter service will enable us to act faster and provide a substantially enhanced service to the South African public during the holiday season", said Ian Wienburg, CEO of the NSRI.
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