Meaning behind thousands of new signs on Aussie beaches: 'Very important'

The signs have one distinct feature which authorities hope will save lives.

·News Reporter

Updated 26 December 2024 at 11:11 pm·2-min read

A BEN beach sign is visible at the edge of a beach while two men fish on the sand. — Thousands of new beach signs have been installed along Western Australia's coast. Source: Facebook/Parks & Wildlife Service WA

There are thousands of signs popping up on beaches along one side of the country and authorities believe they could be the difference between life and death.

Almost 1,800 signs have been installed across Western Australia's coastline with a distinct feature that will help beachgoers accurately communicate their location to emergency services. Each sign will have a beach emergency numbers (BEN) that can be quoted during triple-0 calls so first responders can pinpoint the scene of an emergency and get there as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The initiative was initially adopted by the City of Mandurah and now it's widespread across the state, embraced by 42 local government authorities. It is believed the signs will be particularly useful during shark encounters and during search and rescue efforts.

"Becoming familiar with these green and red signs at your favourite beaches is very important in helping emergency services use the unique BEN code when help is needed," Michael Burke from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) said.

"Each BEN sign has a unique code that can be quoted in the case of an emergency to support first responders to attend the location as quickly as possible," he explained.

Three men install a BEN sign in a grassy area by the beach (left) and a BEN sign stands in front of a bin and beach (right). — The BEN signs will help first responders identify where the emergency is occuring. Source: Facebook/Parks & Wildlife Service WA

The story behind BEN beach signs popping up along coastlines

The BEN signs were introduced by Perth man Rick Gerring after his brother Ben died from a shark bite in 2016 while he was surfing.

The 29-year-old was attacked by a suspected great white shark and lost his leg at the scene before dying in hospital. Since the tragedy, Rick has successfully campaigned for the introduction of the BEN signs and the identification numbers have already been used in more than 3,100 emergency requests in the state.

"The majority of Australians live on the coast and we love going for swim and surfing and diving, and everything on and under the water," he told Mandurah Times last year. "We want tourists to come here, we want people to enjoy the lifestyle."

Ben Gerring holds up a crab wearing a white singlet and white baseball cap. — Ben Gerring died after being mauled by a shark while surfing in 2016. Source: ABC

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The story behind BEN beach signs popping up along coastlines

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