NSRI warns of rip currents and spring tides

The NSRI says people should be aware of rip currents, particularly the full moon and new moon spring tides that cause stronger than normal rip currents around the coast.

At all times bathers and anglers should be aware of high tide, low tide, and the resultant rip currents that form constantly, often at different places along the shoreline, NRSI spokesman Craig Lambinon said.

“Sadly, rip currents are the greatest cause of drowning accidents around the South African coastline. Rip currents are a river of water flowing out to sea against the incoming waves and are caused when the waves reach the shoreline. Rip currents allow water to be dispersed back into the ocean,” he said.

Bathers and shoreline anglers are most at risk during a spring tide and extreme caution is advised.

Lambinin explained spring tide happens twice every month – at full moon and at new moon. Spring tides bring a higher than normal high tide and a lower than normal low tide, causing stronger than normal rip currents for a few days leading up to the full moon or new moon, and peaking on the day of the full moon or new moon, and lasting for a few days after the full moon or new moon.

Rip currents are caused when the water reaching the shoreline in waves, swells and sea currents needs to find a way to retreat back into the sea. This is achieved in rip currents (a river of water retreating through the incoming swells back out into the sea).

There are two types of rip currents. Permanent rip currents are found alongside islands, rocky outcrops jutting into the sea, at river mouths, in between reefs, and alongside harbour walls and piers. they constantly occur in the same place, allowing the water reaching the shoreline to retreat back into the sea in the permanent rip current.

Temporary rip currents, found along beachfronts (along the shoreline), are forever changing their position and are unpredictable and can form suddenly along a beachfront without warning at different places along the shoreline throughout the day.

During spring tide these permanent rip currents and temporary rip currents are stronger than normal and although rip currents at all times pose a danger to bathers they pose the greatest danger during the spring tide.

Bathers are at risk of being swept out to sea by rip currents while swimming or wading in water along the beachfront. Even bathers wading in shallow water who find themselves trapped in a rip current that forms suddenly are at risk of being swept out to sea.

Safety tips can be viewed on the NSRI website.