Five children were rescued after being found around half a mile from shore at Shoebury East Beach as the incoming tide threatened to cut them off.
The incident happened on Sunday evening, when Southend Coastguard Rescue Team was called following reports that several children were missing from East Beach.
Coastguard officers arrived and spotted the children a considerable distance from the shore, making their way back towards land with the tide quickly coming in behind them.
Southend RNLI was alerted at around 4.45pm. With the tide still too far out for a conventional lifeboat response, the station’s volunteer crew launched its hovercraft and was guided by the Coastguard towards the children, who were close to the Shoebury Boom.
The five children were located around half a mile offshore. They were thankfully in good health, although cold, and were taken aboard the hovercraft.
After receiving a welfare check, they were brought safely back to shore, where their parents and the Coastguard Rescue Team were waiting.
The incident could have become much more serious because of Southend’s unusual coastline and large tidal range.
At low tide, the sea can retreat more than a mile from the shore in parts of Southend, exposing extensive mudflats and making it possible to walk a considerable distance out.
But as the tide returns, channels can fill quickly and people can find themselves surrounded by water or cut off from the shore. East Beach also has the additional hazard of the Ministry of Defence firing range beyond the Shoebury Boom.
Southend RNLI volunteer Commander Jonathan Charnock said: “Southend has a vast tidal flat area, at low tide whilst the water can be seen it can be over one mile from the shore. East Beach has the added danger of the MoD firing range to the east of the Boom.
“The children were found on their return to shore however they could have come into real danger quickly. With no way of calling for help, improper footwear and an unfamiliarity with the area today’s call could have had a very different outcome.
“If you do go onto the beaches of Southend, check out the local area, know where you can and can’t go. Tell someone your plan and a time, properly prepare and have a way of calling for help.”
Following further checks and safety advice from the Coastguard, everyone was able to leave.
The RNLI hovercraft returned to station at around 5.45pm, where it was refuelled and prepared for its next call-out.
Witness Sara Fenwick said: “I saw this happen and I don’t believe the families were local or perhaps familiar with the tide. Not sure if there were adults with the children involved but everyone was safe thankfully. The coastguard did a fantastic job.”
Lara Jane said the incident highlighted the importance of children understanding the particular dangers posed by Southend’s coastline.
She added: “I believe schools should cover the dangers of being at the beach, especially in Southend. Children need to be made aware how quick the tide comes in and how it doesn’t just gradually come in – it surrounds you and the different kinds of mud so they don’t get stuck and worry and if they do, what to do in them situations. It might actually save lives and families stress.”
Southend is an unusual RNLI station because its volunteers operate both lifeboats and hovercraft. The hovercraft is particularly useful along the Thames Estuary, where extensive mudflats can make casualties difficult to reach using conventional boats.
The station’s lifesaving work relies on charitable support and donations to fund crews, training and equipment.
Although everyone was brought safely back to shore in this incident, it serves as a reminder of how quickly conditions can change along Southend’s coastline.
People heading onto the beaches or mudflats should check local tide times, understand the area they are visiting and make sure they have a reliable way of calling for help.
Anyone who sees someone in difficulty on the coast or at sea should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.