Visitors to the Essex Sunshine Coast are being reminded of how to stay safe following a busy period for seafront teams.

Tendring District Council’s (TDC) Beach Patrol teams across the area recorded 180 incidents in the last weekend of June (24-25 June); while carrying out 62 patrols along the seafronts in Clacton, Dovercourt, Frinton, Walton-on-the-Naze and Brightlingsea.

The most high profile incident was concern about a piece of old metal on a Clacton beach which led the bomb squad being called to investigate – eventually deeming the item not a danger.

However, patrols had to tell more than 160 individuals or groups to stop climbing on rocks, groynes or breakwaters. While these play an important role in beach maintenance, they are dangerous as people risk slipping into deep water, injuring themselves, or become trapped.

Beach Patrol also had to give advice to almost 50 swimmers who had either gone out too far or on an inflatable, were swimming in channels for watercraft, or were too near or underneath piers.

The teams carried out 13 water rescues, twice had to request a lifeboat and on three occasions call for HM Coastguard mobile units.

Inflatables can quickly be blown out to sea with only a gentle breeze, tide or current, while swimmers in areas cleared for boats or powered watercraft risk a collision. Meanwhile, unpredictable currents and hidden objects pose dangers under and near piers.

Mick Barry, TDC Cabinet Member for Leisure and Public Realm, said people were encouraged to visit the coastline – but had to Respect the Water.

“The Essex Sunshine Coast is a beautiful place to visit, and as the name suggests very often delivers lovely warm, sunny days,” Councillor Barry said.

“Any coastline has inherent dangers in it, such as tides, currents and obstacles, and ours is no exception, and we help to reduce those risks through supervised beaches thanks to our superb Beach Patrol, warning signs and education work too such as Swim Safe.

“That’s why we’re reminding people, following this busy weekend, to stay off the rocks, keep away from underneath piers, groynes and breakwaters, and to leave the inflatables at home – as well as being aware of the state of the tide.

“The best way to stay safe at any beach is to follow that safety advice, Respect the Water – and remember: if you get into trouble then float to live, and if you see someone in difficulty dial 999 and ask for Coastguard.”

Swim Safe, a national RNLI and Swim England initiative supported locally by TDC, is running free public sessions teaching sea safety during the summer holidays - find and book your Swim Safe session at www.swimsafe.org.uk.

TDC’s Beach Patrol supervises a number of beaches at weekends, bank and school holidays from Easter until the end of August. For more advice visit www.tendringdc.gov.uk/leisure/seafront-and-beaches/beach-safety.

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