NSRI warns of high, roughs seas and gale force winds along the coast

With a second of three cold fronts forecast by the SA Weather Service (SAWS) to land along the Western Cape coastline late on Friday and into Saturday and with the first of these three cold fronts that has now moved further along the Western Cape coastline towards the Eastern Cape coastline, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is appealing for public caution with high, rough seas and gale force winds being experienced along the coastal regions of South Africa lasting into Monday and possibly into Tuesday.

A third large cold front forecast for Monday is currently being monitored by the SAWS.

There is a concern that the lulls being experienced in between these cold fronts may give a false impression of improving conditions.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Trucks blown over as cold front hits SA

Localised flooding, storm surges, gale force winds and high seas are some of the winter weather phenomena currently being experienced from these cold fronts.

Gale force winds and high seas are being experienced along the coast and the forecast cold fronts may result in damage to infrastructure and beach erosion. Disruption to port and small harbour activities can be expected.

“With storms and high seas along coastal regions, our concern is for smaller vessels at sea which may have difficulty navigating through the conditions. We are also appealing to boaters, paddlers, beach goers, surfers, coastal hikers, anglers and the public to be cautious around the coastline and to follow  (SAWS) forecasts,” said NSRI CEO, Dr Cleeve Robertson, on Friday.

“We urge beach goers and coastal hikers to stay away from the coastline, as dangerous waves or surges may catch them off-guard and could potentially sweep them off the rocks along the shoreline,” added Robertson.

Sea going craft are encouraged to download the free NSRI RSA SafeTrax app – https://www.nsri.org.za/safetrx/

NSRI RSA SafeTrx app includes a number of new features for small craft users:

• Features include:
  • An Emergency Call button which allows you to quickly make a distress call from the application
  • Share your real-time track with family and friends during your trip
  • Build and maintain your own safety prelaunch checklist
  • Choose and alert individual emergency contacts for each trip
  • Automatically initiates a search process should you not close your trip before your chosen ETA

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