NSRI issues warning of dangerous sea conditions
South Africa’s National Sea Rescue Institute issued a warning on Thursday calling for ëxtreme caution” due to dangerous conditions along the country’s coastline at the weekend.
“Storm conditions, strong gale force winds, rough seas, heavy swells and big surf coupled with the full moon Spring tide will cause dangerous sea, surf and shoreline conditions over the weekend and into the first part of next week,” NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said.
It said the SA Weather Service had posted alerts warning of rough seas, storm conditions, strong gale force winds and storm surges and were monitoring weather data charts to adapt warnings accordingly.
“This full moon Spring tide peaks on Friday 22nd April and will add to the forecast weather conditions causing dangerous sea, surf and shoreline conditions,” the NSRO=I said. “Spring tide conditions will last into the early part of next week.”
According to the NSRI spring tide happens twice every month of the year, at full moon and at new moon, and bring higher than normal high tides, lower than normal low tide, and stronger than normal rip currents.
The NSRI urged boaters, paddle boarders, bathers, sailors and anglers to be cautious around the coast over the coming weekend.
“Watch weather warnings, have the sea rescue emergency number 112 programmed in your phone, only go to sea if it is absolutely necessary and anglers fishing along the shoreline should be vigilant of the tides and breaking surf.”