The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is warning holiday-makers of Spring Tide on Sunday, 2 January 2022.

In a statement the NSRI says: “The New Year is upon us and NSRI and all water emergency networks are appealing to the public to be safe in and around coastal and inland waters and at swimming pools.”

Once again, they are  appealing to people to only swim at beaches watched over by lifeguards and to swim in between the lifeguards safe swimming zone flags posted on the beach.

The NSRI are appealing to fishermen, coastline anglers and hikers, to take heed of Spring tides. The new moon Spring Tide peaks on 2 January.

Spokesperson Craig Lambinon says: “We are appealing to the public to be aware of the higher than normal high tides and lower than normal low tides preceding and following after the Spring Tides peak day and be cautious around the coastline.”

He adds: “We are appealing to parents to make sure that there is a designated responsible person watching over children in and around coastal and inland waters and at swimming pools.”

NSRI Tip:

If you are caught in a rip current don’t panic, stay afloat using the air in your lungs for natural buoyancy and tread water, moving your arms and legs in circular movements, to keep your head above water.

Go with the rip current, do not try to swim against the current. Call out for help. At your first opportunity swim across the beachfront until you are free from the rip current and then use the incoming waves to get to the beach.