THE SEASIDE CODE

The Marine Conservation Society wants you to enjoy the seaside, be safe on the shore and in the sea without causing harm to the environment, and recommends that you follow the Good Beach Guide Seaside Code:

BEFORE YOU GO
Look up the beach in the Good Beach Guide - MCS recommends a high number of bathing sites each year on the basis of excellent water quality, and there's plenty of information about lifeguarding provision, beach safety and general facilities.
Check the latest water quality results at www.environment-agency.gov.uk
for England and Wales, www.sepa.org.uk in Scotland and www.ehsni.gov.uk in
Northern Ireland.

    1. AT THE BEACH
  • Check the public notice boards for information on water quality, currents and emergency phones.
  • Follow any advice from lifeguards and understand the system of safety flags.
  • Never leave young children unsupervised.
  • Do not swim when the sea is rough, or where there are known currents or riptides.
  • Do not use inflatable beds or toys - currents can easily take you out of sight.
  • Swim parallel to the shore rather than out to sea.
  • Do not swim immediately after a meal and never after drinking alcohol.
  • If you've been ill after bathing report the illness to Surfers Against Sewage Tel: 0845 458 3001
  • If you see someone in trouble, alert the lifeguards, or contact the Coastguard (999) - DO NOT ATTEMPT to rescue them yourself, unless you are qualified and have help.
    2. TAKE YOUR RUBBISH HOME
Take rubbish home, especially nappies, or place in a bin - burying it is no solution.
Join in with the MCS beach litter campaigns, Beachwatch and Adopt-a-Beach, at your local beach.
Keep your dog from fouling the beach - comply with dog bans or clean up after your dog. Bag It and Bin It - Please don't flush it.
Report canisters, drums or pollution to the Environment Agency / Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Hotline - 0800 807060). Do not touch.

The MCS Seashore Code provides further guidance on safety and how to protect coastal habitats and species. It is available free from MCS with a stamped addressed envelope:
Marine Conservation Society
Unit 3, Wolf Business Park
Alton Road, Ross-on-Wye
Herefordshire
HR9 5NB
Tel: 01989 566017
Fax: 01989 567815
email: info@mcsuk.org
Web: www.mcsuk.org



Published by

the UK charity for the protection of the marine environment and its wildlife

Reg Charity No (England and Wales) 1004005 Reg Charity No (Scotland) SC037480 Company Limited by Guarantee (England & Wales) No: 2550966
Registered Office: Unit 3, Wolf Business Park, Alton Road, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5NB VAT No. 489 1505 17info@mcsuk.org
click here for a list of all beaches contained in the guide
Disclaimer: In brief - any individual acting upon information contained in this Guide does so entirely at their own risk.
MCS does not accept any responsibility for any individual visiting or bathing at beaches listed in the Good Beach
Guide. The symbols depicting the water quality of all beaches refer to 2006 water quality only, and apply to
normal bathing conditions. Bathers swim entirely at their own risk. Click here for full disclaimer text