TWO people who went out to Seymour Tower in the dark in poor weather had to be rescued after they were cut off by the tide.
The Coastguard has subsequently reminded Islanders to check tide times and weather conditions before going for a walk on the beach.
The stranded walkers made a 999 call just after 5pm last Saturday, after they found themselves thigh-deep in water and unable to reach the shore.
Coastguards advised them to walk to higher ground and to shine their torches to help rescuers locate them.
They were brought to shore by the Fire Service’s inshore rescue boat, which was launched from Seymour slip.
Coastguard duty officer Phil Le Neveu said: “It is important to check the tide times and weather forecast before setting off on your walk, as the tide on the southeast corner moves quickly and covers lower lying areas closer to shore before the outermost areas, due to the gutters that run between the reefs. It is often not obvious that you have been cut off until it is too late.”
He added: “This couple were out in the dark in poor weather, and misjudged the time required to return to shore. They did the right thing when they called us, as if they had ended up in the water, locating them would have been difficult and they could have begun to suffer the effects of cold-water shock.”
