As we prepare for a sunny weekend, Jersey Fire and Rescue Service is urging coastal walkers to check the tide times.

This advice follows a sharp rise in rescues this year. 21 people have already needed saving since January. 

Throughout 2023, 22 people in total required the Coastguard's help to get them out of trouble. 

Jersey Fire and Rescue's Station Commander Craig Channing is concerned by these statistics, but thinks he knows what's causing this sharp rise:

"We've had pretty poor weather up to maybe January, February and March, so as soon as we get a nice bit of weather, we all want to go out and explore Jersey's beautiful coastline.

"That, compounded by the large tides that we've had over the Easter period, is catching people out by surprise."

Elizabeth Castle

Commander Channing has this advice for those planning a coastal walk this weekend: 

"A lot of people don't check to see what time the low or high water is. People are going across to the castle, and the causeway can get cut off really, really quickly. It's a 1km walk but it doesn't seem so far.

"So people are going out there and just not realising they're potentially putting themselves in danger by either not being prepared with their mobile phone with them or not checking the tides and getting cut off.

"We say always have a way of contacting somebody - a mobile phone for instance where you can dial 999 and ask for the coastguard. 

"In this weather, even though the sun comes out and it feels quite warm. the sea temperature is still only about ten degrees, so make sure you take some warm clothes with you in case you do get cut off, but the biggest tip we can give people is always check the tide tables."