Sea Safety

I monitor the Maritime and Coastguard Agency website and two incidents caught my eye. In Norfolk, a sailing regatta was ravaged by what appears to have been a tornado. Fifty craft were in the water off Hunstanton when the wind suddenly increased to force 8 or 9 in seconds. 48 craft overturned and 82 crewmembers ended up in the water. Fortunately, all were safely retrieved as were the craft.

On the other side of the country at Swansea, people found themselves trapped on a tidal island by the incoming tide. Some, very foolhardy, attempted to wade across into the incoming tide, and managed to make it. Others rang the bell, placed on the island to gain attention if visitors found themselves cut off. Rescue services attended and everybody was returned safely to dry land.

The Coastguard issued the following advice, which applies anywhere

<> Don't think you can beat the sea as a swimmer - it's far stronger than any of us

<> If you go out to sea in a boat, carry some means of communication (VHF radio) with you. Mobile phones cannot be relied upon, and cannot be used for pinpointing your location if you don't know. The radio requires a licence, but is a small price to pay - in an emergency it could save your life.