The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has raised an alert over the impending spring tide peak, coinciding with the full moon on Wednesday, 27 December.
This phenomenon is expected to bring significantly higher and lower tides than usual and stronger rip currents along the South African coastline, prompting the NSRI to urge caution among beachgoers and marine enthusiasts.
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NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon has reiterated the need for heightened vigilance among various groups, including bathers, boaters, paddlers, sailors, anglers and coastal hikers.
The public frequenting beaches and coastal areas is advised to be particularly cautious, as the two daily high tides will be higher and the low tides lower than normal.
The NSRI strongly recommends swimming at beaches where lifeguards are present, as they offer an added layer of safety.
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Additionally, even though the spring tide does not affect inland waters, there has been an increase in water-related emergencies, so people in these areas should exercise caution too.
‘We are appealing to everyone in and around coastal and inland waterways to have safety top of mind,’ Lambinon said.
The NSRI’s pink rescue buoys, a vital safety tool, have been instrumental in saving lives. These buoys, placed around South Africa’s coastal and inland waters, have rescued 176 individuals, including seven bathers, in recent incidents at Jeffreys Bay, Mossel Bay and Kleinmond.
These rescues, often facilitated by bystanders, underscore the importance of these buoys in aiding those in distress.
‘All in-water rescues have been successful and no harm has come to any rescuers who have used an NSRI pink rescue buoy to help someone in distress or danger of drowning,’ said Lambinon.
The NSRI continues its appeal to the public to remain safe and vigilant during this period, emphasising the collective responsibility to keep each other safe around water bodies.
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