CHECK TIDE TIMES BEFORE VENTURING ALONG THE COAST WARN COASTGUARD

Coastguards in south-west England and south Wales are warning adults and children to check tide times before they venture along the beach after a spate of incidents involving people cut off by the tide this afternoon. The people involved were caught out by the particularly high spring tides at the moment.

Seven 13-and-14-year-old girls were rescued by Plymouth RNLI inshore lifeboat and taken to Millbay Docks for collection by their parents, after they were cut off by the tide and stranded on rocks at Freathy Beach in Whitsand Bay. The seven children were reported as stranded to Brixham Coastguard at just after 5.00 pm this evening. The Plymouth RNLI all weather and inshore lifeboats and the Looe all weather and inshore lifeboats were requested to launch and a rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose was scrambled.

“Fortunately all seven children are safe and well,” says Brixham Coastguard Watch Manager Mark Satchell. “Please do check tides before you walk along the shore line and make sure that you discuss this with your children too.”

Earlier in the afternoon, Falmouth Coastguard requested the St Agnes RNLI lifeboat to launch and sent the St Agnes Coastguard Rescue Team to cliffs between Trevaunance and Trevellas Porth. A man and a woman who were on the beach had climbed 30ft up the cliff as the tide came in and trapped them. The coastguard team lowered the man and woman to the base of the cliff and they were then recovered by the lifeboat and taken back to shore.

Falmouth Coastguard also requested the Newquay RNLI lifeboat to launch and sent the Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team to Watergate today after a surfer paddled to shore to request that another person on shore contact them and inform them about two 17-year-old boys who were cut off by the tide. The boys were recovered by the lifeboat and brought back to the beach.

Earlier in the day Falmouth Coastguard had also been informed about four 9-year-old children who had been cut off by the tide and were stuck on rocks by Portreath Harbour, although the four managed to wade ashore on their own.

“Falmouth Coastguard dealt with three incidents within a short period of time this afternoon, all of which involved people being cut off by the tide,” says Martin Bidmead, watch officer at Falmouth Coastguard. “The moon is the closest that it has been to Earth in over 18 years and we have the biggest full moon in 14 years, resulting in particularly high tides. These high spring tides seem to have caught many people out, stranding them on rocks and cliffs.  High tide will be even higher tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday, reaching 5.7 metres in the morning and again around tea time. Remember to check tides in your area and call the coastguard on 999 if you do find yourself in difficulty.”

Swansea Coastguard has also dealt with three incidents this afternoon involving people cut off by the tide. At 2.45 pm they were informed by the National Coastwatch Institute (NCI) that a man and a woman had been cut off at Worms Head, Rhossili. The Horton RNLI inshore lifeboat was requested to launch and the Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to the scene. However, the two people were able to wade back to shore on their own.

About an hour later, Swansea Coastguard was called again, this time to report that three teenagers had been cut off by the tide at Inner Head. Mumbles RNLI inshore lifeboat was requested to scramble and rescued all three and took them to shore. The Mumbles Coastguard Rescue Team also attended this incident. Whilst this rescue was happening Swansea Coastguard also received a report from the NCI at Nells Point that two people had been cut off by the tide on Sully Island, although again, these people managed to wade back to shore.

“Check the tides before you go out along the shore and make sure that you allow yourself enough time to get back before high tide,” says Steve Matthews, Watch Manager at Swansea Coastguard. If you do get cut off and decide to wade back, make absolutely sure that it is safe to do so. If you are in any doubt call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

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