Lifeguards warn of rough seas along Kwazulu Natal Coast

If you are planning on heading to the beach this week, make sure you swim only where lifeguards are on duty.

Lifesaving SA has issued a warning of dangerous sea conditions along the province's coastline.

It says spring tides from tomorrow will create stronger side and back washes in the surf.

The lifesaving group's James Ross says beach goers also need to bear in mind that dirty water and debris - washed out from further inland - following heavy storms this week, will make swimming in some areas unsafe.

"We urge everyone to swim only in areas where lifeguards demarcate as being safe and then to stay at a depth where you still have firm footing. This will prevent any unnecessary tragedy," he said.

"For more information and advice, you can speak to your local lifeguards."

- East Coast Radio

Very rough seas at Bluewater Bay

Video: Emile Hallaby - Video footage of the high tide

Image: Sea conditions in the St Francis Bay area.

This will give you an idea of the weather in St Francis Bay. Obs. Leon Scheepers

Pygmy Whale washes up on rocks

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A 2.3 meter Pygmy Whale that washed up on the rocks at Diaz Beach is most likely a casualty of the bad weather experienced in Mossel Bay over the past weekend.

Bad weather resulted in heavy swells of up to six meters, and beaches in the Mossel Bay area were covered in driftwood and debris.

- Mossel Bay Advertiser

8 rescued from French-flagged yacht in Aegean

The Greek coast guard has rescued eight people from a 60-meter French-flagged yacht which suffered mechanical failure in gale-force winds off the coast of the Aegean island of Skyros.

The coast guard said two Air Force helicopters and a Navy frigate, as well as coast guard vessels and four commercial ships headed to the assistance of the yacht, registered as Yogi, after its captain sent out a distress signal Friday morning. The captain said the yacht was taking on water and he had ordered the ship to be abandoned.

All eight people on board were rescued. There was no immediate information on their nationalities.

Source : Sapa/George Herald

Warnings as rough seas expected in Cape Town

Cape Town - Rough seas, high waves and rip currents expected over the next few days have prompted Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre to warn people to be extra cautious at the coast.

"Very rough seas with wave heights greater than 4m are expected between Cape Point and Port Alfred on Monday," read a press release issued on Sunday night.

"The City urges bathers in these areas to only go to beaches where there are lifeguards on duty and to swim only within the demarcated safe swimming areas."

In the event of a life- or property-threatening emergency, the public are requested to dial 107 from a land-line or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.


- SAPA/News24