Tendring District Council’s (TDC) Beach Patrol is gearing up for the summer season – and encouraging visitors to the Essex Sunshine Coast to Respect the Water.
People are being reminded to obey basic safety rules when visiting the coastline: following advice from warning flags; not swimming near, around or under structures such as piers, groynes and breakwaters; knowing their depth, being wary of sudden drops in the sea floor, and being aware of tides and currents; and not swimming while drunk.
This year will see a changed approach to Beach Patrol coverage along the beaches between Frinton and Walton-on-the-Naze; patrols along Princes Esplanade in Walton; and a presence to the East side of Clacton Pier.
These are part of the existing coverage provided in Brightlingsea, Dovercourt Bay, Frinton, Walton and Clacton by the service.
The changes are among the recommendations made following a review of the service by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), and TDC is putting in place some of the short-term measures while it considers the wider feedback.
Due to the Easter holidays being early this year, Beach Patrol will not begin operations until the Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend, which is also the start of school’s summer half-term break.
This allows the team more time for training and preparations for what is hoped will be a busy summer along the Essex Sunshine Coast.