Local foundation asks Half Moon Bay to expedite permits for life-ring stations after recent drowning

A representative of the Arunay Foundation asked the City Council on Tuesday to help the nonprofit secure approvals and a plan to install life-ring stations at Half Moon Bay beaches following a January drowning.

Anandita Sharma, speaking for the Arunay Foundation, said the foundation was created after a 12-year-old named Aruna died in 2021 and has since installed 25 life-saving ring buoys along the coast between Half Moon Bay and southern San Francisco. Sharma asked the council to help expedite permits with the California Coastal Commission and to consider improved signage or temporary beach closures on days with high surf or dangerous sneaker waves.

Sharma described the recent January incident in which a father and his 8-year-old son drowned at Colwell Ranch Beach and urged the city to partner on permitting and site selection. She said the foundation will fund and donate ring stations and requested guidance on what local approvals or supporting letters the city would need.

Mayor Brownstone noted that Colwell Ranch is a state beach under California State Parks and said the city can request action from the state, but it does not control that beach directly. Council members asked staff to work with the foundation and report back; Sharma said she would return on Feb. 18 with a full presentation and details.

Why it matters: Presenters said sneaker waves and rip currents can make beaches that look calm suddenly deadly, and that visual indicators, stations with ring buoys and rapid public information could save lives.

Council action: No formal vote was taken. Staff and the foundation agreed to follow up; Arunay Foundation will return with a full presentation on Feb. 18.

Provenance: The request occurred during public forum and included an offer from the foundation to fund life-ring stations and a request for city assistance with Coastal Commission approvals.