Over the next couple of months you’ll find 66 of these signs along our coast. What are they? They are BEN (Beach Emergency Number) signs, and here’s how they work.
Let’s say you’re on the beach in Lancelin or Guilderton, and someone needs urgent help. Assuming you’ve noted the nearest BEN sign number, you’d simply quote that to the emergency services and they will know where you are.
At present, visitors along the coast have little idea of how to accurately describe their location in the event of an emergency. These signs will be of great help to both those in need of, and those providing, assistance from the likes of Bob James from the Lancelin and Coastal Districts St John Subcentre.
This sign is at the bottom of the steps down to Guilderton beach.