As two people were stranded on Shady Island Saturday evening, Richmond Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) is warning the community about the seasonable extreme tides and strong current.
The RCMSAR safely retrieved the individuals after they had crossed during low tide and became stranded when it rose quickly.
Its not unusual for the season, in May and June, we generally get really high highs and really low lows, said coxswain Brian Hobbs.
Sometimes people arent expecting such an extreme swing. They like to go out and explore at low tide, then the quick rise catches them off guard.
Hobbs cautions that should people find themselves stranded, the best solution is to call for help rather than attempt to beat the tide.
Due to snow melting from the mountains into the water this time of year, the currents are unexpectedly strong.
The same goes for pet owners to keep their pets away from the extreme tides.
Sometimes people think they can swim across or help out a pet thats struggling, but the currents can sweep up even a strong swimmer, said Hobbs. When in doubt, its best to call for help.
If you find yourself stranded or in trouble, call 911, or Channel 16 on a Marine VHF radio. For more information, contact [email protected].
