Full Moon Spring Tides and Coastal Safety Precautions
For Immediate Release
10 January 2025
NSRI Advisory: Full Moon Spring Tides and Coastal Safety Precautions:
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) urges holidaymakers and visitors to the coast to exercise caution during the final days of the school holidays, as the upcoming full moon spring tide is set to peak on Wednesday, 15 January 2025.
The spring tide on January 15, 2025, coincides with the full moon on January 14, 2025, significantly impacting tidal conditions during the last days of the school holidays.
This natural phenomenon occurs when the sun, moon, and Earth align during the new moon phase, amplifying the gravitational pull on Earth’s oceans.
What to Expect During a Full Moon Spring Tide:
- Higher High Tides: Water levels will rise significantly, reaching further up the shoreline.
- Lower Low Tides: More of the seabed will be exposed as water levels dip below average.
- Increased Tidal Range: The difference between high and low tide levels will be at its maximum.
Impacts and Hazards of a New Moon Spring Tide:
Spring tides often result in stronger tidal currents, particularly in narrow inlets.
This natural phenomenon can present potential dangers:
• Rip Currents: Stronger tidal flows intensify rip currents, posing a risk to swimmers.
• Coastal Hiking Hazards: Some hiking trails near the coast may become inaccessible or hazardous during high tide.
• Fishing Precautions: Shoreline anglers should exercise extra caution, as higher waves may reach beyond usual safe zones.
Safety Measures to Follow:
To ensure your safety while enjoying coastal activities, the NSRI recommends the following precautions:
Beach and Swimming Safety
• Swim at lifeguard-protected beaches: Go into the water between lifeguard flags to avoid rip currents.
• Be aware of rip currents. Rip currents are particularly strong during spring tides, especially during outgoing tides, which will occur in the late afternoon.
• Stay informed: Check daily weather forecasts from the South African Weather Service (SAWS) and consult tide timetables.
Coastal Activities
• Hiking: Plan your hikes carefully, avoiding trails that may be cut off during high tide in the late afternoon.
• Fishing: Shoreline anglers should maintain a safe distance from the water. When fishing from rocks or cliffs, they should wear a life jacket and carry flotation equipment (for example, a 5L plastic container with a rope attached) that can be thrown to someone in the water.
• Boating and paddling: Always wear life jackets, carry essential safety equipment, and keep your cell phone fully charged in a waterproof pouch. The free NSRI SafeTrx smartphone app allows you to log your trip and call the NSRI for help quickly and easily.
General Water Safety
• Alcohol and water do not mix: Drinking alcohol before doing an activity in or near water may put your life at risk.
• Supervise children: Ensure children have responsible adult supervision in and near the water.
Additional Precautions
• Time your activities: Be cautious during tide changes, especially when high tide recedes to low tide (in the late afternoon) for beach visitors and on the incoming tide (in the early afternoon) for rock anglers and hikers.
• Stay informed: Follow local safety alerts and warnings issued by authorities.
• Save the emergency number 112 on your cell phone.
Enjoy Coastal Activities Responsibly:
The effects of spring tides will last several days before and after January 15th. By adhering to these safety measures, you can minimise risks and responsibly enjoy the ocean’s natural beauty.
For further updates and emergency assistance, please visit our website www.nsri.org.za
Issued by:
For interviews or information, please get in touch with NSRI Communications Manager Andrew Ingram at andrewi@searescue.org.za or on 082 990 5977
ABOUT THE NSRI
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is a registered non-profit organisation that is committed to drowning prevention and focused on saving lives, changing lives and creating futures for those threatened by drowning in South Africa.
The NSRI is unique in South Africa as the only non-profit organisation focusing exclusively on safeguarding lives and livelihoods in South African waters through education, prevention, and rescue operations. We envision a nation where drowning incidents are minimised, ensuring the safety of all.
The NSRI strives to innovate and evolve constantly and extend its water safety initiatives through empowerment and visibility. Our volunteers are on call 24/7 and rely on donations and sponsorships.
Please visit www.nsri.org.za for more information.
NSRI EMERGENCY: 087 094 9774
Sardines and Sighting Maps
It has been a fantastic sardine run this memorable 2024. And all the action has been logged right here on The Sardine News. This year’s map has been viewed 200 000 times and just keeps growing.
Which led us to decide to keep the map live. And keep adding unique marine animal sightings and events. That occurs non-stop all year round. This year we started to log more whale and dolphin sightings. And we even had a shipwreck! And a freaking tornado! And recently a capsized KZNSB boat! We have been updating the map with recent catches too…
These events will from now on be included in the Sardine News Sightings Map for 2024. And on the 1 January 2025, we shall start all over again.
Here are the links to existing and past Sardine Sighting Maps. Great for a windy day like today to research. With instructions to install The Sardine News right on your phone or desktop.
2024 Sardine Map
2023 Sardine Map
2021 Sardine Map
Channels
Brucifire Surf Retorts – highly entertaining surf reporting
Master Watermen – news from way down deep
The Sardine News – neva miss a single sardine
FishBazaruto – 1000 pounds plus
MYDO Tackle Talk – highly technical sport fishing
Surf Launching Southern Africa – getting out there safely
Water Woes – complain about your municipality here
Websites
umzimkulu.co.za – self-catering right on the Umzimkulu River
umzimkuluadrenalin.co.za – will get you right out and onto the edge
thesardine.co.za – never miss a single sardine
masterwatermen.co.za – news from under water
fishbazaruto.com – dreams
brucifire.co.za – surf retorts
