Spring tidal cut off

The casualty, who was in their 30’s, had scrambled and rockhopped from Widemouth Bay towards Bude when they became cut off by the incoming spring high tide.

Their location was just south of Summerleaze beach; unable to find a suitable route out and back up to the coastal path they called Falmouth Coastguard and reported themself cut off.

Bude ILB proceeded to the location they had given using ‘what 3 words app’ where they spotted the casualty signalling. The crew made a safe rescue in flat calm and returned them back to Summerleaze beach where they were assessed for further medial treatment before making their way onwards on their journey.

With the big spring tides at the moment Bude Lifeboat Operations Manager Liam Sharp commented 'with the spring tides visitors often don’t realise that after the tide goes out it will turn and come back in at a rapid pace. We ask that if you’re planning on walking the beach at low tide check the local tide times.'

Our local tides times are posted daily on our social media pages. Also check with the Bude RNLI Lifeguards who patrol 7 of our beaches for tidal times and local information.

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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

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