GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and emergency services are appealing to bathers, boaters, paddlers, sailors, shoreline anglers and coastal hikers to be cautious around the coastline due to the peaking new moon spring tide.
This brings the daily two high tides to be higher than normal and the daily two low tides to be lower than normal. This will last into next week.
The concern is that during this, the final weekend of schools holidays, the coastline will be experiencing the new moon spring tide during a time where sea conditions are naturally rougher than normal because of winter storms and cold fronts passing over parts of the coastline and deep sea off the South African coastline and where rip currents may be stronger than normal around the coastline.
This new moon Spring tide peaks on Saturday 6 July - just after midnight.
The effect that spring tide has on the coast, causing the high tides to be higher than normal and the low tides to be lower than normal, will be strongest today and over the remainder of this weekend and then gradually declining in intensity towards the middle and towards the end of next week.
Spring tides pose a potential hazard to bathers around the coastline - at all times but noticeably especially during the outgoing tide.
"We are urgently appealing to coastal water uses to be cautious during this new moon spring tide phase and the affect it has around the coast over this weekend. Be aware of coastal hiking trails that can be cut off during high tide," says NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon.
Anglers fishing along the shoreline are urged to keep a safe distance away from the shoreline.
Be aware of adverse weather, strong winds, fast flowing rivers and sea currents and drifts.
Boaters, paddlers and sailors, we are appealing to you to wear life-jackets when your craft are underway, carry safety equipment and download and use the free NSRI SafeTrx smartphone app.
Rough seas, brought on by winter storms and cold fronts, may contribute to hazardous conditions around the coastline during this Spring tide phase.
Cold fronts causing heavy rain and rough sea conditions are forecast by SAWS (South African Weather Services) during this weekend and into the new week / We are appealing to the public to follow the SA Weather Service (SAWS) daily forecasts and around the coastline be aware of the daily tide time tables.
Inland water users are also urged to be cautious bathing, boating and paddling on rivers, lakes and dams where heavy rainfall is forecast for places.
Do not drive through flooded roadways or cross bridges affected by flooding rivers.
Parents are asked to ensure your children have responsible adult supervision in and around water.
To everyone, we are appealing to you to be safety cautious during the remainder of the school vacation - Lets keep each other safe.
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