Seal-counting students cause coastguard panic (From Southend Standard)

Seal-counting students cause coastguard panic

8:10am Wednesday 18th January 2012 in Southend

SEVEN student scientists counting seals in the estuary off Chalkwell caused a stir after they nearly got stuck on a mud bank.

Several worried members of the public called 999 after spotting the group of young biologists a mile off shore.

Fears were raised for their safety as the tide was due to go out. Crews from the coastguard and RNLI lifeboat station were dispatched to tell them to come back.

Den Freeman, spokesperson for Southend RNLI, said: “The group had been studying the seal population for a project.

“There was nothing wrong with them being there, but the fact they had not contacted the coastguard beforehand led to us having to go out to them.

“If they had spoken to the coastguard to say they would be going out to conduct the survey, it would have meant whenever a member of the public called 999, it would have flashed up straight away what it was they were doing and prevent any worries.”

The students had gone out on two rigid-hulled inflatable boats and soon returned to shore at Small Gains Creek, Canvey.

The calls started coming in at about 1.30pm on Sunday.

Mr Freeman went on to offer budding young scientists some safety advice.

He said: “It is important you make sure you have all-weather clothing with you along with a life jacket should conditions change around your boat. It is also very important to let the authorities know what you are planning to do.”