Winter brings added dangers around our coast
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A winter walk on the Caithness coast can be an exhilarating experience, with the waves pounding against the cliffs while the wind almost takes your breath away as it whips across a raging sea. It is a wild and magnificent environment, but also a potentially dangerous one. And the RNLI, the charity committed to saving lives at sea throughout the year, whatever the weather, is keen to raise awareness of the risks facing those who choose to brave the elements to explore the shoreline and cliff-tops.
To help underline the message – and with the aim of reducing fatalities and accidents in, on and by the water – the RNLI has appointed a network of water safety volunteers around the country. William Munro, who took on the Wick branch role in 2021, emphasises that there are specific hazards on the coast during the winter months and warns that if conditions are particularly rough a lifeboat launch may not even be possible.
"We may see reduced numbers of visitors to our coasts during the winter months, but this is offset by the increasing dangers – so we must remain vigilant," said Mr Munro, a master mariner in the merchant navy with 44 years' experience of being at sea, and one of the Wick RNLI launch authorities.
"Increased dangers on the coast during the winter months include colder waters – 14C in summer down to 4C in winter, making survival times much reduced – as well as larger and unpredictable wave motion. Many anglers are swept off rocks, and people and vehicles are swept off promenades and piers. Another danger comes from increased winds, especially gusts blowing you off your feet.
"In some cases, the seas can be far too rough to launch the lifeboat. And, if they do launch, an effective rescue can be near impossible in rough seas – and, of course, it can place the RNLI crew at very high risk. On many occasions the only means of rescue will be by coastguard shore rescue teams and/or coastguard helicopter and their brave winchmen."
The RNLI has joined forces with HM Coastguard in a Winter Coastal Safety Campaign highlighting the dangers around the coast at this time of year – from rough winter seas to changing tides and unstable and eroding cliff-tops. The advice is to stay well back from stormy seas and cliff edges, check tide times before you go, take a phone and get home safely.
HM Coastguard said: "If the worst happens at the coast, we’ll always be there – ready and waiting to respond. Just dial 999 and ask for the coastguard. But we really need you to do your bit, so please take note of our safety advice.
"Before you set off, make sure you’re wearing appropriate footwear and carrying a fully charged mobile phone so that you have a means of contacting family or friends or dialling 999 and asking for the coastguard in a coastal emergency.
"Always let people know when you’ll be back home too, and don’t be tempted to take a risky photo of a cliff edge or large waves for social media – it could be the last moment you ever capture.
"Get familiar with the area you’re visiting by reading local safety information, warnings and advice, and also check tide timings online before you go so that you don’t get caught out.
"Open spaces are ideal for dog-walking but please keep your furry friends on a lead – and, if your pet does get into danger, do not attempt to self-rescue your animal or enter the water after your pet. Call 999 and ask for our assistance.
“We are prepared and ready, as always, to deal with all emergency situations. But please take note of our safety advice and don’t take risks.”
Mr Munro, who runs the Wick-based boat tour business Caithness Seacoast with his wife Adelaine, warned during the summer that the North Coast 500 presents "a big emerging risk". With the growth in road-trip tourism, statistically there is a greater chance of people ending up in life-threatening situations if they fail to treat the sea with the respect it deserves, he pointed out.
The risks include straying too far off a cliff path, venturing onto the waves in a flimsy inflatable, underestimating the coldness of the water or misjudging a tide.
"People are naturally inquisitive," Mr Munro said at the time. "That's what they come up here for, to see the open spaces – and the sea is a big attraction.
“The whole initiative is to prevent drownings and accidents, and our job is to get that message across in any shape or form."
He has been assembling a small team of local water safety ambassadors to spread the word, whether through direct engagement with water users, via social media messages or by way of water safety posters distributed to accommodation providers.
Meanwhile, Mr Munro is keen to promote national RNLI coastal safety advice that the sea can be "dangerous and unpredictable" and that every precaution should be taken to avoid getting into risky situations.
"A beach can seem like a vast playground but the tide can come in surprisingly quickly," the lifeboat service warns. "Getting cut off by the tide contributes to a significant number of RNLI rescues every year.
"Waves are great fun, but they can be dangerous. They have different characteristics depending on the beach and conditions – understanding how they work will keep you safer.
"Anything below 15C is defined as cold water and can seriously affect your breathing and movement.
"Whatever time of the year you visit the coast, some simple steps can help you have a safe and enjoyable trip."
Key tips include:
How can I stay safe at the coast?
- Keep you and your family back from the water’s edge.
- Always check tide times so you don’t get cut off.
- Keep an eye out for local warning signs.
- If you're in trouble in the water, float to live.
- In an emergency dial 999 for HM Coastguard.
How to float to live:
- Fight your instinct to thrash around.
- Lean back, extend your arms and legs.
- If you need to, gently move them around to help you float.
- Float until you can control your breathing.
- Only then call for help or swim to safety.
How can I stay safe on cliffs?
- When walking or running along cliff-tops at the coast, you need to be aware of the hazards – cliffs may look safer than they are.
- Check the weather conditions before your trip.
- Watch for warning signs that point towards dangerous areas.
- Stay away from the edge at all times.
- Always keep your dog on a lead.
- In an emergency, dial 999 and call for help.
