The following weather alert warnings have been broadcast by Weather SA Services:
- WARNING: Gale force W/NW’ly winds (35kt or 65km/h) are expected south of Lamberts Bay Friday, 10th August, overnight into Saturday, 11th August, reaching strong gale force of 40-50kt (75-85km/h) between Cape Point and Cape Agulhas, spreading to Plettenberg Bay on Saturday.
- WARNING: Very rough seas, wave heights between 4 to 6m are expected between Alexander Bay and Plettenberg Bay Friday overnight into Saturday, reaching high seas 6 to 9m between Cape Columbine and Plettenberg Bay on Saturday into Sunday.
The NSRI are urging fishermen, boaters, paddlers, surfers, anglers, bathers and public living along the coast, along the West Coast, Western Cape and Southern Cape, from Cape Columbine to Plettenberg Bay, to be aware of the Weather SA alert and to exercise the necessary precautions.
Gale Force winds and rough sea conditions can be expected to prevail from Friday and into Sunday between Cape Columbine and Plettenberg Bay.
Anyone launching any kind of craft onto water should let a responsible person know what time they are leaving, their exact route and their estimated return time and stick to your plans and have an emergency action plan in place with that responsible person if you fail to return as scheduled.
Carry safety equipment, readily at hand, and know how to use your safety equipment – Red Distress Flares, A Referee Whistle, A Signaling Mirror or CD Disc (to signal a searching helicopter using the sun), Communications Devices with batteries fully charged and kept in water tight sleeves, Waterproof Torch, correctly fitting Life-Jackets worn at all times while on water and while underway in your craft and wear the Correct apparel for the expected conditions.
Have the correct Sea Rescue Emergency phone numbers pre-programmed into your phone – go to www.nsri.org.za to find your nearest Sea Rescue Emergency Phone Number and have the Government Health Emergency Medical Services (EMS) phone number – 10177 – programmed into your phone.
