Findhorn Bay rescue by Burghead and Nairn Coastguard after eight people ‘cut off by tide’

Three rescue teams were deployed off the coast of Findhorn yesterday after receiving reports of a family being stranded.

A witness explained that his friend called the coastguard when he realised that the group of adults and children walking out towards the sea were in danger of being cut off as the tide turned.

He said: “They were so far out that shouting did not attract their attention. Clearly, they didn’t think about the tides or consider that the sandbanks would soon be under water.

“As a crowd gathered on the beach, my friend called the lifeguard who detached men for the shoreline and launched a recovery vessel.”

Burghead and Nairn Coastguard Rescue teams were sent, as well as a Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation (MIRO) lifeboat.

An Aberdeen Coastguard spokesperson explained: “Eight people were reported to have been cut off by the tide at Findhorn beach at about 10.15am on February 17.

“They made their own way to shore and were found safe and well.”

MIRO Rescue was launched and the crew made ready to offer support.

A spokesperson said: “MIRO were tasked to attend people cut off by the tide at Findhorn Bay while the tide was incoming. MIRO Rescue was launched within 10 minutes of being paged.

“As it arrived on the scene, the casualties were being assisted ashore by personnel from Burghead Coastguard. Once all of the family were accounted for, we stood down and returned to base to be made ready for service.”

The witness claimed some of the party did not appear to appreciate the danger they were in, or the fact that rescue teams had been deployed.

He said: “One of the adults said they were a family of sailors and very outgoing so they were fine. They were not.

“In the end, they waded through the water carrying children. One man was arguing with onlookers and did not even thank the lifeboat crews.

”They should have considered things properly before wandering off the shore.”

The rescue teams would like to remind anyone out walking the coastline to be aware of tide times, especially incoming tides.

For more information, see https://hmcoastguard.uk/coast