Her Majesty’s Coastguard is warning people not to take risks at the coast this weekend.
The warning comes as lockdown eases in various parts of the country meaning coastal exercise and visits are allowed.
With the weather set to be scorching in most of the country, many people will take the opportunity to visit the coast. However, the usual risks the coast poses have been amplified as local authorities and land owners may not have had the opportunity to make their usual safety provisions and the majority of beaches will not currently be lifeguarded.
Anyone going to a beach should take personal responsibility, avoid the dangers and keep themselves safe.
3 people died last weekend in separate incidents and HM Coastguard says there’s a real danger more there could be more fatalities in the next few days.
Director of HM Coastguard Claire Hughes said:
“We can’t emphasise this enough – the sea has no respect for whether you’re local or not, whether you’re experienced or not – the sea is unmerciful if it catches you out.’
“But help us to help you. We know how beautiful the coast is but it’s deadly if you get it wrong and your choices might put your family and friends at risk as well as yourself. And every time our frontline responders respond – as they always do and always will – they’re put at risk too.
Article continues below this advertisement ‘Please. #BeBeachSafe Check tide times. Remember the sea has currents and rip tides that can’t easily be seen. Leave inflatables at home. Check your kit before you go onto the water. Make sure you have fully charged phones or other means of contact. Look out for each other. But above all, please keep safe and if you get into trouble and call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Don’t make this weekend’s trip to the coast memorable for all the wrong reasons”.
If you or someone else is in difficulty on the coast or at sea, or if you spot what you think may be unexploded ordnance, then dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Further safety information can be found at https://coastguardsafety.campaign.gov.uk/.
Get help faster by giving emergency services your exact location by using ///what3words.
what3words have divided the world into 3m squares and given each square a unique combination of three words, which means when you are in a remote area of the Isle of Wight you can get assistance much quicker without the need for local knowledge.
Well i.hope people act responsible at the beaches and think of others cant say that for ventnor as there selling takeaway beers down there
They are allowed to sell ‘take away’ beers Ann. This attracts many people. Let’s hope they keep their distance from each other!
Stay safe
Thank you for letting me know about the beers but its still not nice seeing people on public benches drinking especially at this time when peoples health are at risk the young ones are loud and irresponsible when they have had a few god knows what the little children think when they have only just come out of lock down
There are signs on lamp posts in Ventnor and most towns telling people not to drink alcohol in public, what happened to that rule ?
It was never a rule and those signs don’t exist anymore.