JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 2 (Xinhuanet) -- A total of 31 people were drown along South African coastal line during the festive season, according to a report from South African Press Association on Monday.

    The report said that heightened awareness and inclement weather at Cape Town and Durban has seen the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) respond to fewer call-outs this year than last year.

    NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon said that between December 1 and December 31 of 2005, life savers responded to 92 emergencies compared to 116 last year.

    "We are under the impression that there were more last year, but can't confirm it because the statistics aren't available now," he added.

    Lambinon said strong winds in Cape Town and an overcast Durban in December seemed to thin out the throngs who usually descended onto the beaches.

    This was coupled with heightened awareness, highlighted by the media, and which conveyed a safety message to those launching craft as well as to bathers.

    Lambinon said NSRI staff were still keeping a watchful eye on beaches because the current period was traditionally the busiest days for rescues. Enditem