SEA RESCUE – NATIONAL – Thursday, 17th October, 2013. National Safety Message

Spring Tide has begun with the approaching full moon (Full Moon: Saturday, early morning, 19th of October) and hence Spring Tide will peak on Saturday 19th October meaning a higher than normal high tide, a lower than normal low tide and stronger than normal rip currents beginning now and continuing into the middle of next week. Beach bathers, paddlers, boaters and shoreline anglers are urged to exercise extreme caution around the coastline over this period.

SPRING TIDE HAPPENS TWICE DURING EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR, AT FULL MOON AND AGAIN AT NEW MOON, AFFECTING EVERY COASTLINE. THERE ARE TWO HIGH TIDES AND TWO LOW TIDES EVERY DAY. SPRING TIDES ARE THE EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH AND LOW TIDES THAT OCCUR DURING THE FULL MOON PHASE AND DURING THE NEW MOON PHASE. THESE EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH 'HIGH TIDES' AND EXCEPTIONALLY LOW 'LOW TIDES' CAUSE RIP CURRENTS TO BE MORE FORCEFUL THAN NORMAL. AREAS THAT ARE NOT NORMALLY ENGULFED BY WATER DURING NORMAL TIDE PATTERNS ARE USUALLY ENGULFED BY WATER DURING THE SPRING TIDE'S HIGH TIDE. THIS PHENOMENON CREATES THE GREATEST RISK TO BATHERS AT BEACHES AND TO FISHERMEN ANGLING FROM ROCKS ALONG THE COASTLINE. EXTREME CAUTION IS ADVISED TO BATHERS, ANGLERS, PADDLERS AND BOATERS DURING SPRING TIDE.

-ENDS-


Released by: Craig Lambinon
Sea Rescue Communications