Three people came close to drowning near Silverdale over the weekend after using an app that gave them incorrect information about tide times.
The three were cut off waist deep in water in Silverdale yesterday (Sunday, February 2), as a fast moving 10 metre tide came in, having trusted an internet tidal app, which showed what they believed to be Silverdale in the UK.
However, the app actually gave the location for Silverdale in Portland, USA, but the error only came to light after rescuers investigated when the alarm was raised.
Crews from Arnside & South Lakes Coastguard Rescue Team and their lightning fast jet ski, Bay Search & Rescue, and the Morecambe Lifeboat were swiftly in attendance with the jet ski crew taking the three people and two dogs to the shore and handed them over to trained medics, where they spent some considerable time warming up and drying out.
The group were suffering from symptoms of hypothermia and shock of their near miss ordeal, before later being handed over to Cumbria ambulance service.
A spokesperson for BSAR, said: ‘’BSAR have placed signs on the Silverdale coastline which have a QR code on them which if used with your smart phone camera give accurate tide times at the nearest port which is Heysham.
‘’Thanks to financial support in 2025 from the Furnace Building Society several more signs will appear around our area in Grange Sandside and Arnside, which with a click of a button on your phone will tell you the most accurate and up to date tidal information for the area.
‘’There were great responses from the Bay’s amazing volunteer rescue teams today, and thanks to our own crew who looked after the very cold and wet casualties before handing them over to Cumbria Ambulances service.
‘’If you see someone in difficulty on the Coast do not hesitate dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’’
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