MCA – COASTAL HOTSPOTS SURVEY

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published a map showing "Coastal Hotspots" - the areas where most incidents were reported last year.

The map, and the MCA survey, showed:

The greatest number of coastal incidents (1,298) last year occurred in and around the Solent on the south coast.

The highest number of lives lost (32) was around the Liverpool coastguard station. 24 lives were lost in the Falmouth coastal area in south-west England and 23 in the Dover area.

More than 12,000 incidents were reported to coastguards and 236 lives were lost.

More than two thirds (70%) of tourists did not identify tides or strong currents as a threat. More than half (52%) did not perceive the sea to be a key danger at the coast.

Only one in 20 believed cliffs and coastal paths could be dangerous.

Most tourists are unaware of the dangers of coastal waters, says the survey. Yet more than a quarter (26%) have either been involved in, or witnessed, a coastal accident.