For many, this weekend is the last of the holidays, it is also the first Full Moon Spring Tide of 2023 and the NSRI is raising awareness so everyone knows before heading to the beach.
South Africa (06 January 2023) – Holidaymakers and beachgoers soaking up the last days of the holidays, be aware that from today, Friday the 6th of January 2023, a Full Moon Spring Tide has started and it will make the ocean more dangerous for the coming days.
Spring tides generally mean that the high tide is much higher than usual and low tide, much lower. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is staying vigilant over the weekend in case of any emergencies but asks that the public be aware of the dangers. They have issued a safety alert.
“Bathers and shoreline anglers around the coast are advised to be cautious during todays peak of the full moon Spring tide that will cause the higher than normal high tide and lower than normal low tide (and that will gradually retreat over the next few days).
The peak of the full moon Spring tide is today, Friday, 6th of January – a full moon micro moon.
Caution is advised for today, over this weekend and for the first few days of next week.
The concern is that coastal bathers and shoreline anglers who are not aware of the full moon (and new moon) Spring tides may be caught off guard.
Rip currents can be stronger in places during a Spring tide.
We are appealing to coastal bathers and shoreline anglers to be cautious and bathers should only swim at beaches protected by lifeguards, swim in between the safe swimming areas lifeguards post using their red and yellow flags.”
The NSRI lifeguards have helped in over 3000 cases since the start of December and they hope to continue saving as many lives as needed.
The NSRI is the charity organisation that saves lives on South African waters – both coastal and inland.
“Our goal is to prevent drowning through rescue operations, education and prevention initiatives.
Operating from base stations along the SA coastline, and on inland dams, our rescue volunteers are on call, at all hours, every day of the year. Our rescue crew receives no payment and neither do we charge the people we rescue.
We visit schools around the country, teaching children about water safety. Our drowning prevention measures include our online training academy, with free courses for crew and the public, emergency signage, Pink Rescue Buoys for emergency flotation, rescue swimmers, lifeguards, and active patrols during peak seasons.”The organisation is reliant on donations and sponsorships from the public and local business. Please visit www.nsri.org.za for more information on how to support the work they are doing.
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