NSRI issues super blue blood moon spring tide warning

THE National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has issued a safety warning to beach goers as the beginning phase of the super blue blood moon spring tide has begun to increase in intensity.

This moon’s spring tide began to affect the coastline from Saturday, 27 January. It will peak on Wednesday, 31 January and will last until after the first weekend of February.

From last weekend until after the first week of February the public are urged to proceed with caution when visiting the beach or bathing in the sea.

A supermoon is when the moon is at its closest to the earth, when either full or new. A blue moon is evident when there are two full moons in one calendar month, it does not mean that the moon is actually blue in colour. This moon will also cause a total lunar eclipse, in which the earth’s shadow completely covers the moon. This may cause the moon to appear red in certain places, making it a blood moon aswell. Keeping in mind the role the moon and its ever changing plays on the tides, extreme spring tides can be expected.

Spring tides consist of extreme low tides and high tides. A sudden change from a calm low tide condition can change to an extremely dangerous, high tide abruptly, giving bathers little to no time to retreat from the water.

All bathers, anglers, coastal hikers and beach strollers are urged to be cautious when visiting any beaches around the country.

Read also: New Year’s Supermoon is a Wolf Moon

“Bathers should only go to beaches where and when lifeguards are on duty and swim within the safe demarcated swimming zones that lifeguards post using their red and yellow flags,” recommended NSRI.

To report a sea rescue to NSRI, dial 112 from a cellphone.

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