As summer brings people down to the Flintshire coastline and the All Wales Coastal Path, Coastal Rangers are heading up a Dee Estuary Safety Campaign in partnership with the Flint Lifeboat crews, Flintshire County Council and Environment Agency Wales as the harbour authority for the Dee Conservancy.
Following a number of incidents, the message from the group is to be aware of the dangers associated with the open water and sand banks of the Dee Estuary and to be safe on and around the river, which can change rapidly from a quiet attractive place to a fiercely flowing river with rip-currents and a tidal bore.
The Dee estuary, which straddles the border between England and Wales, has a range of features which increase the dangers on the Welsh side from those experienced on the Wirral peninsular.
“Basically the Welsh side carries the main channel of the river so massive volumes of water flow in and out twice a day, which can easily catch people unaware” said Coastal Ranger, Karen Rippin. “In places, the river can also look extremely inviting and calm but, because fresh water and salt water don’t initially mix, you can have water moving in opposite directions at the same time, as the fresh water lays on top of the salt water”.
The Wales Coastal Path has opened up major sections of the Flintshire coastline alongside the River Dee and those venturing out on foot from the path at low tide are taking just as much risk as someone going in for a swim or using makeshift boats on the river.
Captain Chris Hallam, Harbour Master of the Dee Conservancy said: “Typically over a quarter of a million tonnes of sea water flows into the river from the estuary during the two hour flood tide period, which can cause flows of around 8-9 mph and rapidly increase depths.” He equated this to filling the swimming pool at Flint in just one minute.
Alan Forrester, Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager for Flint Lifeboat Station (RNLI) said: “This is a timely warning, as we have already had ten calls to date this year. Don’t take the risk; what looks like attractive yellow sand one moment can be covered in water the next, such is the speed that the tide penetrates the estuary. Please stay off the river, it’s unpredictable even with a lifetime’s experience the right gear and a good boat. If you stray from the Coastal Path, the tide can cut you off way before you realise your return has been blocked.”
“As work on the Wales Coastal Path has progressed and Coastal Rangers have hosted events from Talacre Beach to Chester, our knowledge of the river and its risks has increased with events such as the Big Dee Day and A Wet Walk into Wales!” said Mike Taylor, Senior Coastal Ranger. “Our current event, The Big Dugout Canoe Project, has needed a safe launching area, a safe state of tide and the support of the RNLI, Quay Waterman’s Association and the Dee Conservancy, before we can even consider ending the project with a maiden 20 minutes paddle on the river with full lifejackets. Our Big Dee Duck Race in 2009 needed the same level of preparation.”
“So stay safe this summer, it’s not a safe place to cool down, chance a paddle or go for a walk. Know the tides and stay on the path.”
