The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), in cooperation with SAPS, maritime authorities, Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and emergency services, has issued a national safety alert, appealing to the maritime community, ocean goers and coastal hikers to practice caution over the next few days.
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‘We are appealing to public and to the maritime community to follow the South African Weather Services’ (SAWS) weather alerts,’ said the NSRI.
According to the organisation, SAWS weather warning for rough sea conditions and big waves along the West Coast, Western Cape and South Cape Coast coastlines may also be affected by the full moon spring tide which peaked on Thursday, 23 May.
The full moon spring tide causes ‘the normal daily two high tides and daily two low tides to be higher than normal and high tide and to be lower than normal at low tide,’ explained the NSRI.
‘Spring tides may cause stronger than normal rip currents and areas that are not normally affected by waves at high tide may be engulfed by waves during the spring high tide.’
Members of the public and the maritime community are thus urged to have safety top of mind.
The organisation advised that anglers should note high tide times and stay clear from the shoreline during those times and should also avoid crossing to islands along the coastline during low tides. The islands could be cut off from mainland during high tides.
Coastal hikers are advised to not try crossing at river mouths, where currents can be particularly strong during the outgoing tide, as well as avoiding crossing hiking trails that are close to the shoreline during high tide. These trails may be cut off during high tides.
Boaters, sailors and paddlers are advised to always have safety equipment on hand and to wear life jackets while their craft and/or vessels are underway during rough sea conditions.
The NSRI also urged ocean users and coastal hikers to utilise its free SafeTrx app.
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