Kessock RNLI crew issue hotspot plea to public as lockdown restrictions eased
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LIFESAVERS in Ross-shire have issued a plea to the public to help them follow lockdown guidelines and resist the temptation to flock to the coast as temperatures rise.
The initial easing by the Scottish Government of coronavirus lockdown restrictions has coincided with a spell of good weather, raising concerns guidelines on restricting exercise to within five miles of where people live could be flouted.
The plans permit people to travel short distances for exercise and allows outdoor swimming, kayaking and angling.
The RNLI lifeboat service has issued a call for the public to stay safe, with local volunteers asking people to help them protect themselves and their families during lockdown.
Speaking on behalf of Kessock Lifeboat Station, Tom Booth, who is a volunteer crewman and helm said: “We understand that many people will have been missing trips to the coast and will be eager for a change of scene or activity.
"However, we are really asking the public for their help. Our team of dedicated volunteers is always there to help but, in order to attend a shout, we must break physical distancing instructions, putting ourselves and our families at risk. We also cannot be everywhere at once, if we see a sudden increase in people visiting Rosemarkie Beach and Chanonry Point, or trying out leisure activities on the water, our volunteer run service could struggle to meet demand.
"Therefore, we are asking people to still stay local, don’t drive to visit the coast, if you’re a local then please stay aware of the inherent risks. If you do visit Chanonry Point please remember that it experiences notoriously strong tidal currents.”
We also cannot be everywhere at once, if we see a sudden increase in people visiting Rosemarkie Beach and Chanonry Point, or trying out leisure activities on the water, our volunteer run service could struggle to meet demand.
Tom Booth, Kessock RNLI
Jacob Davies, RNLI lifesaving manager for Scotland said: "With an unusually warm spring coupled with the easing of a lockdown which has seen many of us unable to visit our favourite beaches, we expect many people to be eager to hit the coast..
“However, just because the lockdown restrictions are being relaxed does not mean our coasts are safe, the dangers that have always been there remain. We ask those who are local to beaches to continue to be aware of the inherent dangers and to avoid taking risks. Our strong advice to the Scottish public, who are not local to a beach, is to exercise locally and not to travel to the coast. Scotland’s air temperature may be warming up but the sea temperature remains consistently chilly all year, jumping or falling into cold water or spending longer periods than normal submerged in the water can lead to, potentially fatal, cold water shock.”
Michael Avril, Scotland’s Water Safety Lead for the RNLI and Chair of Water Safety Scotland said: “The Scottish public need to remember the following safety advice: Stay in familiar surroundings, follow Scottish Government advice of remaining within five miles of your home, don’t put yourself, your family and emergency services at risk by taking risks or assuming it ‘won’t happen to you’. If you do see someone at risk call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
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