After the death of Dunedin fisherman Sueng Hwan Soel (50), who drowned after being swept away by a large wave off Cape Saunders last April, funding was obtained by Coastguard Dunedin to install a permanent life ring.
Senior Constable Lox Kellas, of Portobello, who is also the Coastguard Dunedin president, said the casing was installed at Matakitaki Point late last year to house a life ring and rope.
However, that casing was wrenched apart by "mindless vandals" last week, delaying the installation of life-saving devices in the isolated area.
"There is no doubt that this vandalism had the potential to cost someone their life."
Snr Const Kellas said there had been half a dozen fatalities in the area over the past two decades and the installation of the equipment - made possible through a grant from the Otago Peninsula Community Board - was a "small but effective way of saving lives".
Another life-saving device was to be installed at nearby Puddingstone Rock, north of Cape Saunders, where two people were swept to their deaths in 1991.
"There will come a time when these will save lives."
The Cape Saunders area was isolated, had minimal or no cellphone reception in parts, and was prone to the occasional rogue wave, but remained a lure for fishermen keen to catch a blue cod from its rocks.
The life rings were just one way of minimising the risk to fishermen, who should also observe sea conditions for at least half an hour, note weather forecasts, tell people where they were going, fish with a friend and always wear appropriate clothing and life jackets, Snr Const Kellas said.
Snr Const Kellas was also investigating the dumping of a stolen van at Matakitaki Point, but it was too early to say whether it was connected with the vandalism.
