Always call 999 to report an emergency
Emergency Services details can be found on this website: Emergency Services

WATER SAFETY

Colchester City Council Parks and Water Safety. Advice and information to help you stay safe in and around rivers, lakes, beaches and other open water locations. Click on the website link for further information: Advice and information to help you stay safe

RNLI 

If you get into trouble in the water, follow RNLI's Float to Live guidance: Float To Live – What To Do If You Fall In Water 

ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY

For expert advice on staying safe around water, visit the website: Royal Life Saving Society UK's Water Safety Hub

WEST MERSEA BEACH RISK ASSESSMENTS

Colchester City Council commissioned RLSS UK to undertake an independent beach risk assessment of Council-owned land at Victoria Esplanade, West Mersea. The assessment was undertaken on 2nd March 2026, the report is available to view: RLSS UK Beach Risk Assessment Report PDF
All the issues raised in this report are being addressed with many having been completed during summer 2026. Future risk assessments will be undertaken and will appear on this website.

WATER BATHING QUALITY

Environment Agency / Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs sample the sea water twenty times between 15th May and 30th September 2026. To view the report, click on the website link: Mersea Water Quality 

PUBLIC SPACE PROTECTION ORDER (PSPO)

A Public Space Protection Order for the waters around Mersea came into force on 17th July 2026. Marine Police units are active in enforcing the regulations on the launching of personal watercraft and enforcing the various speed limits. The public need to make themselves aware of the various speed limits on the water before launching. Every care should be taken around other craft and people enjoying the bathing waters. 
The PSPO covers: Speeding and wake, reckless or anti-social operation, illegal or obstructive mooring, littering and environmental damage, requirements, exemptions, offences and penalities - PSPO: Personal Watercraft behaviour PDF

SPEED LIMITS

GUIDANCE FOR EVERYONE USING MERSEA BEACH

Mersea Beach is used by thousands of people for many leisure activities - sometimes these activities overlap causing safety hazards and frustration so please be aware of other beach and water users and respect their right to safety.
Please take your litter home or use bins provided.
Do not allow children to climb on Beach Hut roofs.
Choose the location for playing ball games, flying kites or listening to music carefully - don't cause annoyance to other beach users!
Ensure that children who dig holes in the sand do so in a position which doesn't present a risk to others - and that they fill them in again - and yes we have had accidents!

A handy guide for visitors can be found on the Eat Shop Play Mersea website, this includes a Water Safety guide, specific danger hotspots and much more: www.eatshopplaymersea.co.uk/where-to-play/stay-safe-on-mersea-island - 

Advice for Swimmers
Be sure you can be seen and avoided by users of water craft.
If you like to swim under water wear a marker or swim with a friend.
Be aware that people learning water sports may not be very skilful - so keep well clear.
Use of Inflatables - BE AWARE
THE BLACKWATER ESTUARY HAS STRONG TIDES AND SOMETIMES STRONG WINDS - RUBBER CRAFT AND OTHER INFLATABLES CAN BE CARRIED OUT TO SEA VERY QUICKLY.

Advice for Windsurfers, Kitesurfers Dinghy Sailors and Canoeists.
Keep well clear of swimmers.
Please do not park or set up your gear in the spaces in the car park reserved for disabled people.
Avoid leaving your gear unattended, but if this is unavoidable, ensure it is in a safe position relative to the wind direction and not a nuisance to other beach users.