Redcar RNLI issues tide warning

Already in 2016 there have been four emergencies at Huntcliff involving 10 people who have found themselves cut off by the rising tide.

The rescues have called on the services of the RNLI lifeboats from Redcar, police and coastguard helicopters and coastguard rescue teams, and some of those rescued have spent time in hospital.

Dave Cocks, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Redcar RNLI says: ‘With the promise of some reasonable weather over the bank holiday and schools half term it’s worth repeating yet again our safety message.

‘We have a beautiful stretch of coastline here and it’s great to see the beaches full of people having fun.

‘But it’s no fun finding yourself trapped, cold and wet, by the relentless approach of the tide. Once you are pinned against the base of the cliffs, there’s nowhere to go. You will need to be rescued, and you have to raise the alarm early.

‘There’s a misconception that the danger point is when it is high tide, but that’s not correct. Once low tide has passed, and the sea is on its way back in, that’s the dangerous time.

‘The most common time to be cut off at Huntcliff is about three hours after the tide has started to come in. That also means there’s another three hours of rising tide to come, and that is obviously going to have serious consequences.’

The RNLI offers the following advice to anyone using the beach:

• Check the tide times before you venture out to place where you could get trapped.
• Always look for areas of the beach patrolled by lifeguards. Look for the yellow and red flags.
• Never swim on your own. Always have someone with you who can raise the alarm.
• If you go on the sea in any sort of craft, always wear a lifejacket.
• If you get into difficulties, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard. Stay calm and stay on the line. Otherwise, raise your arm in the air and shout for help.

Dave Cocks adds: ‘Don’t become another statistic. Our Respect the Water campaign has a simple message. The sea can be a very dangerous place. It is cold and unforgiving. You must show it respect because it doesn’t respect anyone.’

Tide times for Saltburn can be found on the Redcar RNLI website at www.redcarlifeboat.org.uk and for more sea safety advice visit the RNLI website www.rnli.org.uk.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• Images show the Redcar lifeboats rescuing people trapped by the tide at Saltburn. Credit RNLI/Redcar
• Redcar lifeboat station has been operating since 1802
• Redcar currently operates a B-class lifeboat named Leicester Challenge III, paid for by the people of Leicester, and an IB1-class lifeboat named Eileen May Loach-Thomas, paid from the legacy of the late Nicolas Thomas of Shropshire
• For more news, information and images go to www.redcarlifeboat.org.uk
• Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/redcarrnli
• Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RedcarRNLI

RNLI media contacts:

For more information please contact Dave Cocks, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager on 07894 558 483, Alison Levett, RNLI PR Manager, North, on 01642 754828 or 07786 668912 or at [email protected]. Alternatively, contact Clare Hopps, RNLI Press Officer, North on 01642 754811 or 07824 518641 or at [email protected], or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789; [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

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