Beware spring tide rip currents
A warning has been issued to all bathers, fishermen and boaters.
NSRI has urged the public to be extra cautious this weekend with the full moon spring tide that will cause stronger than normal rip currents around the coast.
The full moon spring tide peaks today (Friday, November 7), but very strong rip currents will still be present around the coast over the next six days.
Bathers and shoreline anglers are most at risk 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.
Rip currents are caused when the water reaching the shoreline in waves swells and the sea currents need to find a way to retreat back into the sea – and this is achieved in rip currents, ie: a river of water retreating through the incoming swells back out into the sea.
Bathers are at risk of being swept out to sea by rip currents while swimming or wading in water along the beach front.
Even bathers wading in shallow water who find themselves trapped in a rip current that forms suddenly are at risk of being swept out to sea by rip currents.
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.
At your first opportunity swim parallel to the beachfront 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.
Swim at beaches where lifeguards are on duty and obey the instructions of the lifeguards and only swim within the safe swimming zones lifeguards mark (using their red and yellow flags).
Children should have responsible adult supervision at all times around coastal and inland waters.
Anglers fishing along the shoreline, particularly along rocks on the shoreline, are at greatest risk during the spring tide where incoming waves during the high tides engulf higher than normal over rocks.
Anglers should not turn their back to the sea and should be vigilant and cautious of the wave action at all times while fishing.
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.
