Visitors to the Maces Bay Ledges may have noticed a new sign warning beachgoers about the dangers of venturing out at low tide.
The signs include safety information, websites and QR codes to keep beachcombers from harm, including links to the tide chart and an instructional video on how the tides come in along that area of Maces Bay.
Margaret Mawhinney, captain of the Musquash Fire Department, said the installation has been in the works for several years and came after people kept getting stuck in the ledges.
“What happens is people will go out, and the way the tide comes in around our area, it almost will encircle them,” said Mawhinney in a phone interview.
“So, if they’re not paying attention to their surroundings, they can be entrapped by the tide quite quickly, and the only way to get them out is usually by a boat rescue.”
Mawhinney said fire crews have only responded to one rescue at the ledges in 2022 but noted it is still early in the year. As a volunteer fire department, she said it can be “nerve-racking” to respond quickly.
“By the time we leave our houses and get to the station, it’s a time thing, and tides don’t wait,” she said. “Once low tide hits, they’ve got about 90 minutes and then they have to start making it back to shore.”
Mawhinney suggests if visitors plan on venturing out, they should carry a cell phone with them, so they can quickly call 911 if they get stuck.
She adds should that happen, they should also bring a floatation device to give emergency crews more time to respond.
