Benbecula coastguards have highlighted left behind beach toys and inflatables can spark unnecessary air and sea searches.
An inflatable boat and other litter was discarded by beach goers on the machair at Linaclete beach recently.
The coastguard team stressed: “It is so important for all rubbish to be taken home from our beautiful beaches, no matter where in the UK, but it is especially important to take all your inflatables home with you.
“These could drift out to sea, leading to large scale search and rescue operations to find the occupants, when in fact it is something that’s purely been discarded.
“This could be taking coastguards, helicopters and lifeboats away from incidents where someone is genuinely requiring assistance.”
Eilean Dorcha Festival (EDF) which stages an annual music event at the location in non-
“EDF was disappointed to see that users of the beach have taken to dumping their rubbish on the festival site rather than taking it home with them after enjoying their time in Liniclate.
“Users of this particular area are reminded that this is a working croft and leaving rubbish behind poses a significant danger to dogs and livestock.
“If you are using this area please take your inflatables and waste away with you when you are leaving, don’t leave it for others to clean up after you.
“This also applies to dog walkers, please take your dog waste with you, bag it and bin it.
“Dog waste is toxic to animals and humans, please make sure nothing is left on our machair.”
Coastguards highlighted hazard of abandoned inflatables
27 April 2021