Latest news with #beachsafety
The Sun
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Sun
Terrifying moment cliff COLLAPSES yards away from sunbathing beachgoers in packed UK hotspot
THIS is the terrifying moment a cliff collapses just yards away from sunbathing beachgoers. The massive rockfall crashed onto the sand and sent thick clouds of dust up into the air. 5 5 5 Some beachgoers were cut off and a lifeboat launched to rescue them at Budleigh Salterton, Devon, on Saturday. Luckily, it appears no-one was injured. Many scrambled away frantically as the rocks fell, with two people sprinting into the waves in a bid to get away. Warning signs up at the coast before the terrifying incident unfolded. "Thousands of tons must have come down," eyewitness James Walters said. " Police, lifeboat and coastguards were there. "I don't think anybody was injured but they had to close the coast path." A spokesperson from Sidmouth Lifeboat said: "Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat was tasked by Solent Coastguard after a significant cliff collapse at Budleigh Beach. "The crew's primary objective was to search for anyone caught in the fall zone and to support Beer and Exmouth Coastguard teams already on scene. "Upon arrival, lifeboat crew members discovered several people stranded on the wrong side of the cliff fall. "Two individuals were safely transferred back to Budleigh Beach. "Thank you to all volunteers and agencies involved for their swift response and teamwork. "Please remember: cliffs along this stretch of coastline are unstable. Keep a safe distance from the base and the edge, and follow all local safety warnings." Exmouth Coastguard Rescue team added: "Following assessment earlier after the significant cliff fall Devon County Council have closed sections of the coastal path. "Please avoid the area and don't attempt to circumvent the closures." 5 5
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Shark nets could be removed at Bondi Beach as NSW government considers trial
Popular Sydney beaches including Bondi Beach could be in for a major change as the state government considers a trial to remove shark nets. The NSW government has reportedly asked Waverley, Northern Beaches and Central Coast councils to each select a beach to trial the removal of shark nets this summer, The Daily Telegraph revealed. Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park on Sunday called it an opportunity for local councils to use technology, acknowledging 'widespread' issues with the nets. 'We know the problems with nets are widespread, in particular around getting other species of marine life caught in those areas. I know that's been a challenge in my own community,' Mr Park told reporters at a press conference on Sunday morning. 'There's an opportunity for local councils to do that, then with the support of other electronic devices and other information technology initiatives and innovations to try and reduce the ability for sharks to cause damage to humans.' He said the government was working through evidence, but a decision on removing the nets was yet to be made. 'That'll be a decision that we take as a cabinet when we see fit, but it's certainly something that we are looking at,' Mr Park said. 'I know, as a coastal MP, fire and foremost, our priority is keeping our locals and our humans and our visitors safe in the water.' Mr Park said feedback would be sought from local councils, who are 'in charge of essentially looking after our beaches and keeping our people safe'. Over in Waverley, Bondi and Bronte are the only beaches that use shark nets, which could spell a major change for Sydney's most iconic beach. Waverley Mayor Cr Will Nemesh said the council would only support removing the nets if there was a significant increase in other strategies to mitigate sharks. 'Waverley Council's position is clear: the safety of our community comes first,' Mr Nemesh said. 'Ultimately the decision around shark net removal will be a decision of the state government.' A Waverley Council spokesperson said the removal of any shark nets would be conditional on significantly increasing the use of drones and SMART drumlines at the beaches, which would need to be resourced by the state government. 'Waverly Council's submissions on this have been consistent: that safety must come first before any changes in shark nets are made,' the spokesperson said.
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Dorset Police officers tackling anti-social behaviour over summer
More than 130 dispersal orders have been issued by police in a bid to keep beaches safe, a force has Police confirmed the orders were issued by officers in recent weeks to tackle anti-social 35 dispersal orders grant police extra powers to move people on from an area if officers have reasonable grounds to suspect they are there to engage in crime or Friday, the force worked with British Transport Police at Bournemouth train station to "engage with visitors to the area" and "ensure they were behaving". In a statement, Dorset Police said officers took part in the operation to "take action against those likely to cause anti-social behaviour in Bournemouth".South Western Railway staff also took part in the day of action, tackling people travelling on the rail network without a ticket. Insp Matt Buller, from the Bournemouth neighbourhood policing team, said: "Our role is to engage with people, show we're accessible and try to prevent suspected crime from happening."He said reports of anti-social behaviour in the area had reduced by 5% since April, compared to the same period in 2024. 'Good, safe summer' "Over recent weeks, more than 130 dispersal notices have been issued by Dorset officers to ensure the beach is a safe space for everyone to enjoy," Insp Buller would be patrolling "key locations" to reassure communities and ensure people are "safe and can feel safe within the town", he said, adding: "Our message is very clear that we want everyone to have a good, safe summer but anyone who is found to be involved in crime or disorder is not welcome here." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Free life jackets available at four Nova Scotia beaches
Free life jackets, which are part of a pilot program through the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service, are pictured at Dominion Beach in Dominion, N.S., on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Ryan MacDonald/CTV Atlantic) It's a first at a beach that has been one of the most popular in Cape Breton for decades. This summer, free life jackets are being offered at Dominion Beach – and three others in Nova Scotia – as part of a new pilot program funded by the Nova Scotia government. 'Oh man, it's really neat,' said one man spending the day at the beach with his small children, who took advantage of the free life jackets. 'We don't have this kind of thing in Toronto. We don't have to worry about them.' One of the lifeguards at Dominion Beach on Saturday said the free life jackets make her job just a bit easier. 'There's a lot of people who may need them,' said Bailey McKay. 'Some people may not have the money to get them. There are some weaker swimmers who may need that support, and it just gives them some comfort in the water that may be helpful.' The director of the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service, Paul D'Eon, said some days they are seeing as many as 35 to 40 people using the free life jackets at any given beach. He added their availability should only improve safety. 'Small children or people with limited mobility, they can fall face down and can't right themselves so we would have to intervene with that so that may be helpful to us,' D'Eon said. 'Or if they accidentally step into deep water off a sandbar, it's going to be helpful to them and certainly could prevent a tragedy.' The free life jackets are also available this summer at Melmerby Beach in Pictou County, Rainbow Haven Beach in the Halifax area, and Queensland Beach on Nova Scotia's South Shore. D'Eon added there is a chance the program might be expanded to other Nova Scotia beaches in future years. While the addition of the life jackets is a good step toward increased safety, the lifeguards CTV News spoke with said having a life jacket on in the water doesn't mean people should let their guards down. 'Life jackets don't prevent good parental supervision,' D'Eon said. 'While your kid is at the beach, you should stay within arm's reach and those red and yellow flags you see at the beach – that's where the lifeguards are, they want you to swim between the flags. So, common sense out there.' D'Eon added if the free life jackets remain well-used, his organization will go back to the province at the end of the summer and request more funding for next year. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CBC
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Life jackets can save lives at the beach, and Grand Bend offers free rentals
Social Sharing Those swimming in Grand Bend can rent life-jackets while on the beach, officials with Lambton shores say — a reminder after several drownings in area waterways this summer. The life-jacket rental program at Grand Bend Beach has been in place for about a decade, said Ashley Farr, a director at the Municipality of Lambeth Shores. It was initially started to reinforce Grand Bend's status as a Blue Flag beach, a designation that requires high safety standards, as well as high environmental management and water quality. "The program has been fairly successful over the years," Farr said. "So we're just continuously trying to promote its availability and beach safety throughout Drowning Prevention Week." This year, the water safety-themed week comes amid a spate of recent drowning deaths in the London area, including the drowning of a 17-year-old in Chatham, an 18-year-old man in Ipperwash, and a 35-year-old man in Port Burwell. Risks apply to everyone, even strong swimmers. People who only go to the beach once or twice a year may not have their own life-jackets, said Stephanie Bakalar, a spokesperson for the Lifesaving Society. Lending programs becoming more common at Ontario's beaches, and even in some public libraries, where they're available for multi-day rentals, Bakalar said. Even though life-jackets are commonly used — and legally required — when boating or far out in deep water, any idea that swimming at the beach is not dangerous is a misconception, Bakalar said. It can be difficult to tell how deep water is and where a drop-off might be, as well as what hazards could be present, or how big the waves could become, she said. The dangers apply to anyone, regardless of swimming ability, she added. "If the waves knock you down and you can't regain your footing, you could drown." Some increasingly popular beach activities are risky to begin with, but especially without a life-jacket, Bakalar said. It's become more common for people to bring inflatables intended for pools — picture those glittery unicorn floaties — brought to the beach, Bakalar said. Because they float, they seem perfectly safe, even for non-swimmers, but they can easily deflate, and take a swimmer out much further than intended, she added. "You are brought out over your head so quickly and you're so far from shore and now you can't get back," she said. "Someone falls off, now they can't swim. It's an absolute recipe for disaster." A change in attitude surrounding life-jackets is needed, Bakalar said. There's a common perception that they are only for inexperienced swimmers or children, but the reality is that everyone should have one, Bakalar said, explaining that about 35 per cent of open-water drownings occur while people are swimming. To encourage safety at Grand Bend, the Lambeth Shores website gives more information not only about the life-jacket rentals, but also about structural currents and their flag system, which provides information about daily water conditions.
