More than half of the call outs to the Queensferry RNLI Lifeboat Station this year have been to bring people stranded on Cramond Island back to safety.

Now the RNLI is urging everyone to check tide times and make their crossings to the island and back safely.

Since the beginning of 2023 there have been 66 rescues from the island – and half of those took place in June.

Michael Avril RNLI Regional Water Safety Lead. The RNLI warns of dangers of Cramond Island – Queensferry RNLI has rescued 66 casualties from Cramond in the first half of 2023, with just under half of those rescued in June alone. PHOTO Alan Simpson Photography

The island is tidal meaning that it can be reached safely by means of a causeway, but members of the public are all too often caught out if they have not checked the safe crossing times beforehand. This means that the RNLI has to be called out to rescue people from the island.

Michael Avril, Water Safety Lead for the RNLI in Scotland, said: ‘We’re seeing more and more people needing our support when visiting Cramond Island. We’ve encountered people stuck on the island due to being cut off by the tide, and even had to rescue people who have attempted to walk back and been caught out by the high tide. 

‘We’d strongly encourage everyone planning to visit Cramond to check the safe crossing times before heading out to Cramond and return back to the mainland with adequate time to avoid being caught out by the tide.’ 

Queensferry RNLI Lifeboat Station was established in 1967, with the new station built in 2012.

Julie Dominguez volunteer crew member and helm at South Queensferry talks about the high number of calls to the RNLI for people cut off by the tide at Cramond Island. PHOTO Thomas Brown/Live Edinburgh News

Volunteer crew member and helm, Julie Dominguez, said: “We want everyone to enjoy themselves this summer, which includes visiting nearby Cramond, without having to be rescued by the RNLI and caught in difficulty.

“Planning your day and timings could save you from being caught out by the tides and needing our assistance. However, accidents happen, and it is important that you are able to call for help if you need it. If you find yourself or spot others in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard straight away.

“Stay calm and don’t try and wade through the water as this could be dangerous.”

To check the safest times to cross, text CRAMOND to 81400 or check the clearly displayed signage before crossing the causeway.

The RNLI warns of dangers of Cramond Island – Queensferry RNLI has rescued 66 casualties from Cramond in the first half of 2023, with just under half of those rescued in June alone. PHOTO Alan Simpson Photography
The RNLI warns of dangers of Cramond Island – Queensferry RNLI has rescued 66 casualties from Cramond in the first half of 2023, with just under half of those rescued in June alone. PHOTO Alan Simpson Photography
The RNLI warns of dangers of Cramond Island – Queensferry RNLI has rescued 66 casualties from Cramond in the first half of 2023, with just under half of those rescued in June alone. PHOTO Alan Simpson Photography
The RNLI warns of dangers of Cramond Island – Queensferry RNLI has rescued 66 casualties from Cramond in the first half of 2023, with just under half of those rescued in June alone. PHOTO Alan Simpson Photography
The RNLI warns of dangers of Cramond Island – Queensferry RNLI has rescued 66 casualties from Cramond in the first half of 2023, with just under half of those rescued in June alone. PHOTO Alan Simpson Photography
The RNLI warns of dangers of Cramond Island – Queensferry RNLI has rescued 66 casualties from Cramond in the first half of 2023, with just under half of those rescued in June alone. PHOTO Alan Simpson Photography
The RNLI warns of dangers of Cramond Island – Queensferry RNLI has rescued 66 casualties from Cramond in the first half of 2023, with just under half of those rescued in June alone. PHOTO Alan Simpson Photography
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Phyllis Stephen
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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.

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