The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has urged people to take extra care along local beaches after the Government announced it will be okay to swim in the sea from today (Wednesday, May 13th).
Boris Johnson announced this week that people can now participate in water-based activities such as swimming, kayaking, surfing, boating and angling.
However, the charity is warning visitors to the region’s beaches that, at present, there are no RNLI lifeguards and there will be limited cover going forward into the summer months.
The RNLI says it is currently working through the updated guidance delivered by the Prime Minister and will be engaging with a number of watersport governing bodies and other stakeholders to help inform its response.
“At present there are no RNLI lifeguards on beaches and although our volunteer lifeboat crews are fully operational, should they be needed, it is important that anyone visiting the coast understands the risk and takes the necessary steps to keep themselves safe,” said a spokesman.
“This will also help to reduce the demands placed on our lifeboat crews and other emergency services including HM Coastguard. In this way we can all work together to succeed in ensuring the coast is a safe place to visit.”
