06 August 2014
The Jersey Coastguard is launching its annual ‘Safety at Sea’ campaign this week to remind Islanders to be prepared when heading out to sea this summer.
The campaign's key messages are the dangers of getting cut off by incoming tides and the importance of wearing life-jackets or buoyancy aids when out on the water.
Jersey Coastguard Manager Russell Mathew said “We are incredibly lucky to have a variety of beaches around the Island where it’s possible to do a range of water sports, including kayaking, paddle-boarding, and even coasteering. The aim of our campaign is to remind people to take the necessary precautions such as letting us know before they head out to sea, to check the tide and weather conditions and to ensure they have the appropriate safety equipment.”
It can take as little as 10 minutes to be cut off from the shore in some of the areas around the Island. In 2013, 17 people were rescued after being cut off from the shore. This year to date, there have been 11 people rescued, the majority of whom were local residents.
There are numerous information resources available online at the Jersey Coastguard website, including a tide calculator and practical advice for anyone interested in water sports.
Jersey Coastguard can also be contacted for further guidance on +44 (0)1534 447705 and on VHF CH 82 for logging traffic reports and routine broadcasts.
Jersey Coastguard website
gov.je