Coastguard’s Warning to Anyone Heading Out Fishing

That patch of glassy, calm sea you’re eyeing up from the rocks? It might be the most dangerous thing about your day.

Boscastle Coastguard Team has issued safety guidance for anyone planning a fishing trip along the UK coast, reminding people that a few simple checks before leaving home could be the difference between a good day out and a 999 call.

Check Before You Go

The team is urging anglers to look at the latest weather forecast and tide times before setting off. Conditions on the coast can shift quickly, and it is easy to get cut off by an incoming tide or caught out by sudden bad weather without the right preparation.

Kit That Could Save Your Life

Boscastle Coastguard says a quick run through your kit before you leave the house is worth the effort. The basics they want people to think about are a fully charged mobile phone, or better still a Personal Locator Beacon, and a properly fitted lifejacket that gets checked regularly.

Those three things, the team says, could make the biggest difference in an emergency.

Calm Water Can Still Be Risky

One of the key points in the message is that water which looks calm is not necessarily safe. The sea can change in minutes, and what looks like a peaceful spot can quickly become a dangerous one.

In an Emergency

Anyone who finds themselves in trouble on the coast, or spots someone else who is, should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.