Exercise caution at seaside

A prolonged period of strong winds and high seas over the next few days has led to the Coast Guard issuing an appeal to members of the public to exercise caution.

Chris Reynolds director of the Coast Guard said that the storm has the potential to lead to a loss of life.

“We have had a number of deaths this year when members of the public who would not have been used to being on exposed rocks or piers are suddenly overwhelmed by a wave and pulled into the sea. There are no rogue waves, only unpredictable ones. So please exercise extreme caution over the next 36 hours particularly if you are with young children. Our message is ’Stay back, stay high and stay dry’.”

The Coast Guard have issued a storm warning to all vessels off the West and South coast advising them to seek shelter. The National Maritime Operations Centre has also contacted the Spanish Coast Guard to ensure the message is relayed to their fleet in the north-eastern Atlantic.