Kinghorn RNLI urges visitors to stay away from the coast as lockdown eases

And Helm Neil Chalmers has asked locals who do live near the coast to be aware of the risks amid fears the volunteer run service could struggle to meet demand if too many people get into difficulty.

His comments come as RNLI Scotland issues an important safety warning as restrictions are relaxed.

The Scottish Government plans will permit people to travel short distances, limited to five miles within their local area, for exercise and also allow outdoor swimming, kayaking and angling - this has prompted the lifesaving charity to call for the public to stay safe.

The charity will be running a restricted lifeguard service on a couple of the nation’s beaches however, as per usual, this service will not be starting until later in June.

Jacob Davies, RNLI lifesaving manager for Scotland, said: “With an unusually warm spring coupled with the easing of a lockdown which has seen many of us unable to visit our favourite beaches, we expect many people to be eager to hit the coast.

“However, just because the lockdown restrictions are being relaxed does not mean our coasts are safe, the dangers that have always been there remain.

“We ask those who are local to beaches to continue to be aware of the inherent dangers and to avoid taking risks. Our strong advice to the Scottish public, who are not local to a beach, is to exercise locally and not to travel to the coast.

“Scotland’s air temperature may be warming up but the sea temperature remains consistently chilly all year, jumping or falling into cold water or spending longer periods than normal submerged in the water can lead to, potentially fatal, cold water shock.”

Speaking on behalf of Kinghorn Lifeboat Station, Neil Chalmers, said: “We understand that many people will have been missing trips to the coast and will be eager for a change of scene or activity.

“However, we are really asking the public for their help. Our team of dedicated volunteers is always there to help but, in order to attend a shout, we must break physical distancing instructions, putting ourselves and our families at risk.

“We also cannot be everywhere at once, if we see a sudden increase in people visiting beaches on the Fife, Edinburgh and Lothian coast our volunteer run service could struggle to meet demand.

“Therefore, we are asking people to still stay local, don’t drive to visit the coast, if you’re a local then please stay aware of the inherent risks.”

Michael Avril, Scotland’s Water Safety lead for the RNLI and chairman of Water Safety Scotland, added: “The Scottish public need to remember the following safety advice: Stay in familiar surroundings, follow Scottish Government advice of remaining within five miles of your home, don’t put yourself, your family and emergency services at risk by taking risks or assuming it ‘won’t happen to you’.

“If you do see someone at risk call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”