The Moon at perigee. Photo: Nestor Jarquin CC-BY-SA-2.0

Coastguards have pleaded with walkers to check tide times after a spate of rescues as people were cut off by high spring tides.

With the Moon at its closest for almost 20 years, exceptional tides have caught walkers out in south-west England and south Wales, with Coastguards and rescuers from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution experiencing one of their busiest periods in a long time.

Seven 13- and-14-year-old girls were rescued by Plymouth RNLI inshore lifeboat and taken to Millbay Docks for collection by their parents after they were cut off by the tide and stranded on rocks at Freathy Beach in Whitsand Bay.

The seven children were reported as stranded to Brixham Coastguard at just after 5pm on Saturday. The Plymouth RNLI all-weather and inshore lifeboats and the Looe all-weather and inshore lifeboats were requested to launch and a rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose was scrambled.

“Fortunately all seven children are safe and well,” said Brixham Coastguard watch manager Mark Satchell. “Please do check tides before you walk along the shore line and make sure that you discuss this with your children too.”

Earlier in the afternoon, Falmouth Coastguard requested the St Agnes RNLI lifeboat to launch and sent the St Agnes Coastguard Rescue Team to cliffs between Trevaunance and Trevellas Porth.

A man and a woman who were on the beach had to climb 9m (30ft) up the cliff as the tide came in and trapped them. The Coastguard team lowered the man and woman to the base of the cliff and they were then picked up by the lifeboat and taken back to shore.

Falmouth Coastguard also requested the Newquay RNLI lifeboat to launch and sent the Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team to Watergate yesterday after a surfer paddled to shore to report that two 17-year-old boys who were cut off by the tide. The boys were recovered by the lifeboat and brought back to the beach.

Earlier in the day Falmouth Coastguard was alerted to four nine-year-old children who had been cut off by the tide and were stuck on rocks by Portreath Harbour, although the four managed to wade ashore on their own.

Martin Bidmead, watch officer at Falmouth Coastguard, said: “Falmouth Coastguard dealt with three incidents within a short period of time this afternoon, all of which involved people being cut off by the tide.

“The Moon is the closest that it has been to Earth in over 18 years and we have the biggest full moon in 14 years, resulting in particularly high tides.

“These high spring tides seem to have caught many people out, stranding them on rocks and cliffs.  High tide will be even higher tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday, reaching 5.7 metres in the morning and again around tea time. Remember to check tides in your area and call the coastguard on 999 if you do find yourself in difficulty.”

Swansea Coastguard also dealt with three incidents yesterday involving people cut off by the tide. At 2.45pm they were informed by the National Coastwatch Institute that a man and a woman had been cut off at Worms Head, Rhossili.

The Horton RNLI inshore lifeboat was requested to launch and the Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to the scene. However, the two people were able to wade back to shore on their own.

About an hour later, Swansea Coastguard was called again, this time to report that three teenagers had been cut off by the tide at Inner Head.

Mumbles RNLI inshore lifeboat was requested to scramble and rescued all three and took them to shore. The Mumbles Coastguard Rescue Team also attended the incident. While this rescue was happening Swansea Coastguard also received a report from the NCI at Nells Point that two people had been cut off by the tide on Sully Island, although again, these people managed to wade back to shore.

Steve Matthews, watch manager at Swansea Coastguard, said: “Check the tides before you go out along the shore and make sure that you allow yourself enough time to get back before high tide.

If you do get cut off and decide to wade back, make absolutely sure that it is safe to do so. If you are in any doubt call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”