Dear Fellow boat owners and prospective partners,
We’re the lucky few. We wake up to 60km of pristine water on the Kariega and Bushmans River Estuaries. Game viewing at sunrise. Skiing glassy water with the kids. Fishing the channels. Sundowners on our barges. Swimming or just floating with the tide. All this, in excellent quality water, something truly rare, that we test regularly. Something we must care for.
We’ve all spent a fortune on our boats, our pontoons, our holiday homes. But let’s be honest: “none of it is worth much without healthy estuaries”. The water is our biggest asset. And right now, it needs us.
The Problems
Our estuaries are under pressure. Illegal nets and bait digging. Threat of sewage pollution. Litter. Bank erosion from wakes. Debris and damage after floods and tidal surges. One significant sewage leak and we lose the magic (and our blue flag status for both beaches) — for years.
The municipality and authorities do what they can, but they’re stretched. If we wait for someone else, we’ll wait too long.
Part of the solution:
Estuary Care Boat
We’re launching “Estuary Care” — a dedicated boat and crew to patrol, protect and preserve the Kariega and Bushmans Estuaries, at prescribed times.
What the Estuary Care boat will do:
Patrol & Protect:
Daily presence during busy periods to deter illegal fishing and bait collection, monitor and report any signs of pollution, monitor boat licenses
Maintain & Clean:
Place channel and rock markers, remove debris, clear channels, assist with bank rehab projects
Educate & Assist:
Help boaters with safety, “rules of the river”, no-wake zones, fishing regulations. Partner with guides in training and university students
Respond:
First on scene for sewage pollution, boating accidents, strandings, emergency water issues
This isn’t “anti-boating”. It’s “pro-boating”. It’s making sure our kids can ski these waters in 20 years. And their kids after that.
The Ask
We need R200,000 in year one to buy and run the Estuary Care boat:
This will cover the purchase & outfitting / COF of a dedicated patrol boat, safety gear and signage (including logos / names of major donors with their permission). Maintenance, insurance and boat storage / mooring have been donated.
We are extremely thankful to our Founding Donors (Kenton Seagull Regatta, Periwinkle and Rotary) who together have pledged an initial R80,000.
Year 1 running costs — skipper salary during busy periods and fuel will be covered from our operational funds / membership fees.
We’re asking every boat owner to be a proud partner (and a member of Estuary Care) in our effort to conserve, preserve and care for our estuaries and importantly assist us with funding our initiative. Please also display the boat and bumper sticker “Proud Supporter of Estuary Care 2026” that we will provide.
If you are not already a member, please join Estuary Care. The annual membership fee per family for the remainder of this year is R200. An additional donation, which we need for this initiative, will make a big difference.
If most of us contribute, we’re fully funded. If we collect more, we have many worthwhile projects underway. Every cent goes to the care for our estuaries— our accounts will be shared at our AGM and will be available on our website. We will send out quarterly updates.
Why you
We all chose to buy boats here because of the estuaries. We’re the ones using them regularly. We see the problems first. We benefit most when they’re healthy. This is a valuable asset that we need to care for – we need to be pro-active to prevent any damage to it, and major loss of value.
This is a partnership. Not a tax. Not a levy. *Boat owners taking care of what we love, together”.
First patrol is planned for 1 July 2026 — but only if we fund it.
We bought our boats and some of us bought properties to enjoy this place. Let’s make sure there’s a place left to enjoy.
With respect for the water,
Estuary Care Committee
