12th August 2021. NCI Exmouth  is urging visitors to the beach to read the signs and take note of the hazards in the area of beach they are using. The call from the town's National Coastwatch Institution volunteers has been prompted by the increasing number of people using the water in front of the lookout on Queen's Drive.

This area of water is dangerous and RNLI red flags are flown on the beach to alert the public that swimming should not take place here. A sign is also placed on the slipway to inform people before they go down onto the beach.  There is a deep water channel very close to the beach and at certain states of the tide the current can be extremely fast and strong. This combined with an offshore wind could be a recipe for disaster for swimmers and especially those using inflatables.  

Ivor Jones , Station Manager at NCI Exmouth, said: “I have just come off an extremely busy shift in the lookout today with hundreds of boat movements in and out of the estuary, a rowing race was taking place in the vicinity and jet skis and paddle boarders were vying for space in the water. I was alarmed and very concerned at the amount of people ignoring the red flags and both swimming and allowing young children to use inflatables in this area. In the interest of your safety and that of others we ask that you swim between the red and yellow flags where there are lifeguards patrolling." NCI Exmouth have already helped Her Majesty’s Coast Guard with 21 incidents so far this year.