Lifeboat crews safety message

With warmer weather and holidays fast approaching, thousands are expected to be heading to the coast, many with boats and jetskis.

Volunteer crews at Tynemouth RNLI lifeboat station are urging people to stay safe on the water by reinforcing key safety messages for boat users:

• Always wear a lifejacket
• Check your engine and carry adequate spare fuel
• Tell someone where you are going and how long you will be.
• Carry distress flares
• Make sure you have a reliable method of calling for help – mobile phones don’t always work
• Check the weather and tides

Additionally, every year children die as a result of using inflatable toys and rafts in the sea.  The RNLI recommends that people do not take inflatables into the sea.  If people must ignore this advice, then to minimise the likelihood of a tragedy, follow these safety precautions:

• Only use inflatables on lifeguard patrolled beaches
• Make sure that a line is attached to the inflatable and an adult on the beach holds it
• Make sure children are within easy reach at all times
• Always follow the advice given by a lifeguard
• Never take an inflatable out in windy conditions, or where there are waves

Tynemouth RNLI spokesman Adrian Don said: “We don’t want to stop people enjoying themselves but with a few simple precautions they can keep themselves and their families safe.”

Boat users can get more information by visiting www.rnli.org/seasafety.

Beach safety information is available at www.beachsafety.org.uk.