North Berwick RNLI urge coastal visitors to check tide times

In 2025 a survey by Bangor University revealed that four in ten people have no basic understanding of the tides with half claiming to check tide times before visiting a beach. According to the survey only a quarter (24%) of the public have sufficient ability to read and interpret a tide timetable in order to take the appropriate action to prevent being cut off by the tide.

North Berwick Lifeboat was called into action twice on Saturday 29 August, at 1.02pm to two adults angling from rocks, cut off by the tide on Leckenbane, Milsey Bay and again at 5.30pm to two children cut off by the tide on the Leithies.

The volunteers were called into action again on Friday 11 September at 4.23pm after three people were reported to be stranded ‘on two separate rocks’ at Seacliff Beach, 3 nautical miles to the east of North Berwick.

Coastguard Rescue Teams from North Berwick and Dunbar were able to make contact with one casualty who was content to wait for the tide to drop, with the two other casualties being brought ashore by the lifeboat.

RNLI rescue data shows that lifeboat crews and lifeguards responded to 7,971 incidents across the UK and Ireland involving people cut off by the tide over the last decade. Of those incidents, many were considered life-threatening, and 452 lives were saved*.

The RNLI is urging people to use a trusted online source such as the Met Office who provide weather forecasts and tide times via from the UKHO for around 500 locations.

Coastal visitors should be aware that the tide comes in and out twice in each 24-hour period, and while tide times can be accurately predicted, they vary at each location and change time and height each day. This is as important for coastal walkers to be aware of as it is for beach goers.

When at the coast, be aware of your surroundings and whether the tide is rising or falling, make sure you have enough time to get back before the tide comes in and blocks your route. If you get cut off, dial 999 and ask for the coastguard, do not try to wade or swim to safety. More information can be found here.

Notes to Editors

• *The RNLI defines a life saved as an incident where, had it not been for the intervention of the RNLI, emergency services and/or a third party, a life would have been lost.
• To view the research on tidal literacy, in collaboration with Bangor University, visit rnli.org/about-us/our-research.
• Across the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands, RNLI lifeboat crews based out of 238 lifeboat stations helped 8,290 people and saved 272 lives as the charity’s lifeboats launched more than 9,000 times in 2025, making it the sixth-busiest year in the charity’s history. More here

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Matthew Gibbons, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Scotland, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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