SOUTHERN CAPE NEWS - The NSRI warns in a statement that the full moon
spring tide peaks on Tuesday 9 September and this being the third super
moon in a row very strong rip currents are predicted to be present
around the coast over the next 7 days.
Bathers and shoreline anglers are most at risk.
It is feared that good weather being experienced during this Spring
Tide, around 9 September, and rough sea conditions will put more people
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.
There are two high tides and two low tides every day. During spring tide
the twice daily high tides are higher than normal and the twice daily
low tides are lower than normal and while rip currents are always
present the spring tide creates stronger than normal rip currents.
Rip currents are caused when the water reaching the shoreline in waves,
swells and sea currents needs to find a way to retreat back into the sea
and this is achieved in rip currents (a river of water retreating
through the incoming swells back out into the sea).
There are two types of rip currents, permanent rip currents, found
alongside islands, rocky outcrops jutting into the sea, at river mouths,
in between reefs and alongside harbour walls and piers, are found
constantly occurring in the same place allowing the water reaching the
shoreline to retreat back into the sea in the permanent rip current.
Temporary rip currents, found along beach fronts (along the shoreline),
are forever changing their position and are unpredictable and can form
suddenly along a beach front without warning at different places along
the shore front throughout the day.
During Spring Tide these permanent rip currents and temporary rip
currents are stronger than normal and although rip currents at all times
pose a danger to bathers they pose the greatest danger during the
Spring Tide.
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 but at your first opportunity swim
parallel to the beach front 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 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 - red distress flares,
communications cellphone or VHF radio with fully charged batteries in
water tight plastic sleeves, a waterproof torch, highly visible neon
coloured clothing, a referee whistle worn around the neck, and let a
responsible person know your time of departure, your exact intended
route and your estimated return time and check in with the responsible
person on your safe return. (If you are overdue the responsible person
should raise the alarm without hesitation).
Everyone living along the coast or visiting the coast should have their
local Sea Rescue Emergency phone number programmed in their phone.
For more information visit the web page www.nsri.org.za.
- Mossel Bay Advertiser
