Sailing Magazine
NSRI are urging the public to be cautious around the coastline during this weekends Full Moon Spring Tide that peaks on Sunday 9 July.
From now and until towards the end of next week expect the higher than normal high tide and the lower than normal low tide, brought on by the Full Moon Spring Tide, to cause stronger than normal rip currents and higher tides engulfing higher along the shoreline.
At all times bathers and anglers should be aware of high tide, low tide and the resultant rip-currents.
Sadly rip currents are the greatest cause of drowning accidents around the South African Coastline.
Bathers, shoreline hikers and sight seers and anglers are most at risk during the Spring Tide and extreme caution is advised
Spring Tide happens twice every month, at full moon and at new moon.
Spring Tides bring a higher than normal high tide and a lower than normal low tide, causing stronger than normal rip currents, for a few days leading up to the full moon OR new moon, peaking on the day of the full moon OR new moon and lasting for a few days after the full moon OR new moon.
Bathers caught in a rip current should not panic. Simply stay afloat by treading water (moving your arms and legs in circular movements), don’t try to swim against the current as it will only cause you exhaustion and let the current sweep you out to sea but at your first opportunity swim parallel to the beach front until you are free of the rip current and then use the incoming waves to get back to shore.
While this is happening scream for help and wave your arm to alert people on the beach to raise the alarm.
Boaters, paddlers, sail boarders and anyone launching any kind of craft onto water should wear their life-jackets at all times while on water and carry easily accessible safety equipment – red distress flares, communications cellphone or VHF radio with fully charged batteries in water tight plastic sleeves, a waterproof torch, highly visible neon coloured clothing, a referee whistle worn around the neck, a signalling mirror or CD disc (to use to shine against the sun) and let a responsible person know your time of departure, your exact intended route and your estimated return time and check in with the responsible person on your safe return. (If you are overdue the responsible person should raise the alarm without hesitation).
NSRI urge boaters and paddlers to download the free NSRI RSA SafeTrx app to their phone and use the app for safety when launching and while at sea.
TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE
