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Spring Tides and Scholars on Vacation Don’t Mix Well

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The New Moon on 1 July 2011, brings with it the Spring Tide and in the middle of school holidays the concern is raised that school learners on vacation angling from rocks, boating or bathing, along the coast are at great risk.

  • Spring Tide occurs twice a month, every month of the year, everywhere in the world, at new moon and again at full moon, and affects the sea tides, causing a higher than normal high tide and a lower than normal low tide.
  • Spring Tide peaks on the day of the full moon and again on the day of the new moon and the Spring Tide effects can be felt from a few days leading up to the peak of Spring Tide and lasts for a few days following the peak.
  • There are two high tides and two low tides every day of the year (everywhere on every coast in the world).
  • Spring Tide effects are known to cause the strongest rip currents.
  • Winter rough seas are known to have a compounding effect on Spring Tides.
  • Rip Currents form at different locations along the coast regularly during the day and are constantly changing location.

In South Africa recent history appears to indicate that during the few days surrounding the Spring Tide, and particularly when high tide peaks and begins to move towards low tide, beach bathers are at greatest risk of being swept out to sea.

In South Africa recent history appears to indicate that during the few days surrounding the Spring Tide, and particularly during the approach towards high tide, anglers are at greatest risk of being swept off rocks by incoming waves.

In South Africa recent history appears to indicate that during the few days surrounding the Spring Tide, particularly at beach launch sites, beach recovery sites, at river mouths and at harbor entrances, boats launching to go to sea or boats returning from sea in these areas are at greatest risk of capsizing.

In South Africa recent history appears to indicate that school groups visiting beaches, during school outings and school excursions, during the Spring Tides, learners are at greatest risk of being sept out to sea by strong rip currents while bathing or playing in shallow surf.

The NSRI are urging school learners, teachers and parents to be acutely aware of the “stronger than normal rip current Spring Tide phenomenon” and to exercise extreme caution during the Spring Tides when rip currents are at their strongest.

Safety Tips:

  • Anglers fishing from rocks along the coastline should wear life-jackets and never turn their back to the sea.
  • Anyone on a boat or paddle craft should wear their life-jackets at all times while their vessel or craft is underway.
  • Always let a responsible person know your departure time, your exact route and your return time. Stick to your exact route and check in with the responsible person on your safe return.
  • People living along the coast and people visiting the coast on vacation should find out what their nearest sea rescue emergency phone number is by visiting www.nsri.org.za or calling (021) 4344011 during office hours.
  • Children should at all times have responsible adult supervision around water – inland waters, coastal waters, seas, swimming pools, lagoons, lakes, dams, rivers, reservoirs, canals and puddles.

NSRI volunteers are on duty 24 hours a day every day of the year.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.