Breakwater Beach Visits Handbook

The Breakwater Beach is a small north-facing beach at the mouth of the River Dee and the entrance to Aberdeen Harbour. It is protected from the sea by a wall thus is slightly less exposed than other beach sites around Aberdeen City. The variety of ships, marine life and onshore habitats make it a suitable venue for pre-school children to visit.

ABERDEEN BREAKWATER BEACHGrid Reference:NJ 96 5 05 7

Owner/managerabove the high tide line:Aberdeen City Council

Owner/managerbelow the high tide line: Aberdeen Harbour

Contact details of owner/site managers

Both organisations must be consulted regarding any issue to do with visits to the Breakwater Beach, subject to which part of the beach is being used (above or below high tide or both).

Ian Talboys
Countryside Officer
Housing and Environment, Environmental Services
Aberdeen City Council
38 Powis Terrace
Kittybrewster
Aberdeen AB25 3RF
Direct Dial 01224 897400 / Dock Control Officers
Aberdeen Harbour
Tel: 01224 597000
Email:
Main contact: Patrick Jordan
Coastguard Tel: 999 or 112 and ask for “Coastguard”

Useful information can also be found here:

MAISIE MUNRO NURSERY

Breakwater Beach Visits Handbook

CONTENTS

  1. Getting there and back
  2. Before going to the beach
  3. At the beach
  4. Litter
  5. Scottish Outdoor Access Code
  6. Emergency Procedures
  7. Notes for Helpers

Appendix 1: Site information checklist

Appendix 2: Site appraisal of Breakwater Beach

Appendix 3: Aberdeen City V1 Form

Appendix 4: Aberdeen City V6 Form

Appendix 5: Daily site check form

Appendix 6: Equipment List

Appendix 7: Daily off-site register

Appendix 8: Visit leader’s checklist

Appendix 9: Aberdeen City Emergency and Incidents Guidance

Setting up the Wee Green Spaces off-site visits
Preparation is required that is slightly more than a one-off visits because routines need to be established and everyone needs to know why regular visits to one or two known places benefits the children in their care. Make sure you have completed:
  • Appendix 1: Site information checklist (this is so that the owner/manager of the site knows about your visits).
  • Appendix 2: Site appraisal form (this shows you have visited the site and thought about its suitability for the children in your class or group).
  • Appendix 3: Aberdeen City V1 form. There are tips on what you need to ensure you have in place and permissions sought.
  • Appendix 4: Aberdeen City V6 Contact information form.
  • Each member of staff have completed their OIL module on working near water.
  • Risk benefit assessments are in place – this will need adjusting on an ongoing basis.
  • You have informed parents/carers and they have completed the annual block consent form. This needs to be accompanied by the V8 Form about the terms and conditions. You will need to include a statement about use of handwipes and the availability of soap and running water.
  • You have authorisation from your Head of Establishment (sign V1 form).
  • You have emailed the V1 form to Adventure Aberdeen

Overview

The aim of this handbook is to provide staff, volunteers and others with information about the ongoing visits to the Breakwater Beach.

1. Getting there and back

The children are transported in the minibus which can take up to four children and three adults (including the qualified driver). The exact route taken may vary depending on local traffic conditions. The most common route is marked on the map below and should be considered the norm:

Route

At the end of Richmondhill Place, turn left down King’s Gate Road to Rosemount Place. At the roundabout just after Skene Square School, turn right and go under Union Street. Follow the road round. At the Guild St junction turn left onto the A93 and almost immediately turn right onto the A956 Market St. Follow the road over Victoria Bridge. Take the second left junction onto Sinclair Road. Follow the road and trun left onto Greyhope Road. Park at the car park just past the Torry Battery.

The minibus is parked at the parking area opposite the Breakwater Beach. There is one road to cross. The beach is accessed via a pedestrian gate and steps down to the beach.

2. BEFORE GOING TO THE BEACH

Site Visit

The Breakwater Beach is inspected on the morning of each visit. The daily site check (Appendix 4) is completed by the person who does this and decides whether the visit should go ahead or whether an alternative activity is needed. The site is sheltered so wind in the car park does not mean that it is too windy on the beach.

The Visit Leader

This staff member ensures the planning and preparations have been undertaken to make each visit run smoothly and has overall responsibility on the visit. If this job is rotated then put together use the checklist of what needs to happen – See Appendix 2, 3 and 7.

Clothing and footwear

  • Given the cool climate and fickle weather, children and adults must have suitable clothing and footwear:
  • Waterproof and windproof jackets and trousers, or similar
  • Layers of clothing which include base layers and warm mid-layers
  • Warm socks, hat, scarf and gloves in winter
  • Sunhat on hot days
  • Footwear: wellies (with warm thick socks in colder months) or other waterproof boots. You will also need to decide about when and if children may go barefoot
  • Sunscreen should be considered even on cloudy days as the weather can change.

3. AT THE BEACH

Introduction and safety briefing

At the car park, everyone stops and looks at the Breakwater Beach. The weather conditions and tides will be discussed. Children will be asked what they need to remember when playing on the beach (boundaries, group expectations, who to go to for help, looking after the area and its wildlife, gathering calls, what to do if…)

Shelter

The bothy bag is useful as a temporary shelter. Alternatively a trench shelter may be dug especially on cold, or windy days. Cover with a tarp. You will need to remember spades to do this.

Boundaries

The Breakwater Beach has natural boundaries:

  • The sea to the north
  • The wall to the east
  • The grassy bank to the south
  • The rocks to the west

Adults should keep an eye on the whereabouts of all the children. The children are expected to know these natural boundaries.

Snacks and drinks

Snack is prepared in line with food hygiene guidelines available at the centre. Where necessary, appropriate adjustments are made for being outside. Refer to the Food Hygiene risk assessment. Staff should have extra snack and flasks of warm drinks in case children are hungry or need a warm drink. A bottle of drinking water is also available.

Hand hygiene

It is important that hygiene outdoors is given the same attention as indoors. Health Protection Scotland (HPS) advise that children wash their hands with soap and running water:

  • After using the toilet / changing a nappy
  • Before and after eating, drinking or preparing food
  • After sneezing, nose blowing or coughing
  • If hands are soiled/dirty

The kit will be placed at the shelter along with the canister of water. Handwipes and gel are available in the kit too.

Toileting arrangements

The Scottish Outdoor Access Code is followed when going to the toilet outside. There are no public conveniences near the beach. A travel potty is used. Ensure the child has privacy – behind a rock or under the bothy bag shelter if needed. Only Maisie’s staff are to assist children.

Weather

Children’s wellbeing is the priority at all times and they are closely observed. We will cut short a session if the weather is inclement and children are not coping.

Watch the sea wall when it’s wild and windy. Spray and water will come over the edge and create waterfalls going down. It’s amazing to look at.

The Sea

All the adults must ensure they know about the tide direction and how the sea behaves at the Breakwater Beach. How much interaction happens between the sea and the group depends on the weather and seasons.

The water is swirly around the rocks – the children need to know not to go into the sea here – use common sense judgement about the conditions.

Boats

The big boats are great to watch. However they create a wash so step back a few feet from the shore and get the children to observe the wash.

Paddling

No member of the party should go into the sea, except when paddling is an agreed, planned for, activity. We encourage the children to look for white horses on the waves as this tells us that the sea conditions are getting rough. There is a ring buoy at the beach for emergency use. Always check it is there!

This only happens on calm days, in line with the risk benefit assessment procedures. One adult needs to be in the water with the children.

There is a change of clothing for children who get wet.

Rockpooling

There are rocks and pools which children can explore if accompanied by an adult. As much as possible children should be encouraged carefully clamber over the rocks without assistance, using hands as well as feet! Refer to the advice about handling marine life in the “Notes for Helpers” in Appendix 4 and the Rock pooling risk benefit assessment.

The concrete slope

If a child wishes to climb this slope then supervision is necessary until it is clear a child is competent at managing on the slope. Encourage a child new to the slope to climb a little way first before coming down and gradually building up confidence this way.

Collection and use of natural materials

In line with the right to beachcomb as outlined in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, children will be allowed to use collect and use natural materials such as seaweed, shells and stones as part of their play. They will be encouraged to do this in a sustainable and responsible manner. Refer to the Natural Materials risk benefit assessment.

Dogs

Dogs will appear on the beach from time to time with their owners. Remind children not to pet a dog unless it is clearly safe to do so. Help children learn to turn their backs on a dog which is out of control. The party should leave the beach if an aggressive dog arrives.

The Dog Warden’s phone number is 01224 523737. The team deal with concerns about dog fouling as well as other aspects of dog ownership.

Seals and other animals on beach

Do not approach. They have teeth and can bite. Enjoy watching from a distance. If you find an injured or dead animal or bird, phone the SSPCA Animal Helpline 03000 999 999

Dolphins can be seen, particularly towards midday just beyond the sea wall. Look for a darker shape which moves – they do jump out of the water. When you see one, you will recognise it.

Birds

There is a good variety of bird life. Look for groups of eider on the sea. Cormorants sit at the end of the sea wall by the light house and hang their wings out to dry. Oyster catchers and gulls can also be seen.

Wildlife crime

This covers a wide range of activities which may include poisoning animals such as birds of prey, cracking open fresh water pearl mussels or any illegal destruction and theft of animals or plants. PAWS Scotland[1] website gives more information and you can download an app which provides information about what to do and not to do.

Fire

Fires are only established when there is a minimum of three adults as one must supervise the fire. Any fire must be managed using a Leave No Trace approach and in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Follow theprocedures outlined in the Fire Risk Benefit Assessment.

Alternative activities

There are walks which can be taken around the Torry Battery and in both directions along the seashore. Sticks are found going towards the harbour and lots of shells. Going the other way are big rocks and a stony beach.

4. LITTER

Be careful when finding litter on the beach. There may be sharp objects, syringes, broken glass, etc. Any dangerous litter needs to be left alone but reported to the group leader. It needs to be marked off so children know not to pick it up.

Drums and containers

  • Are they empty? (if unsure, do not attempt to open or pierce)
  • Is the container leaking. (Yes - stay upwind if it is). Call the Coastguard (pollution threat.)
  • Are there any markings on the container. (No - Then think Danger Yes - make a note, and pass on to the Coastguard.)
  • If in any doubt, call the Coastguard or Local Authority.

Unidentified Objects - things to report

  • Where is it?
  • How visible is it? (half buried, on top of sand/rock)
  • What size is it?
  • What colour is it?
  • What shape is it?
  • Are there any markings?
  • Features - does it have fins, horns, wires, pins?
  • DO NOT touch anything you are unsure of. Leave it to the experts.

Pyrotechnics - Explosives

  • If you find something that you think is explosive, do not pick it up. Try to mark the site in some way.
  • Make a note of what it looks like (see Unidentified Object above)
  • Call the Coastguard.Do not use your mobile phone near any ordinance you find.
  • Explosives come in all shapes & sizes. If unsure leave well alone. The markings may have been washed or rubbed off by the sand!

5. SCOTTISH OUTDOOR ACCESS CODE[2]

The Scottish Outdoor Access Code is an important piece of Scottish legislation which affects everyone as it is about our rights and responsibilities when outdoors.

The Code is based upon three key principles and these apply to both the public and to land managers:

  • Respect the interests of other people. Acting with courtesy, consideration and awareness is very important. If you are exercising access rights, make sure that you respect the privacy, safety and livelihoods of those living or working in the outdoors, and the needs of other people enjoying the outdoors.
  • Care for the environment. If you are exercising access rights, look after the places you visit and enjoy, and leave the land as you find it. Help maintain the natural and cultural features which make the outdoors attractive to visit and enjoy.
  • Take responsibility for your own actions. If you are exercising access rights, remember that the outdoors cannot be made risk-free and act with care at all times for your own safety and that of others.

Remember that everyone only has access rights if they exercise them responsibly!

Embedding the principles into the Breakwater Beach visits

1)We take responsibility for our actions

  • We aware of natural hazards, such as high winds, floods, harmful plants, etc. We teach children to recognise these and behave appropriately.
  • We recognise that the Breakwater Beach and car park are working environments. We keep out of the way of people working and/or change our plans if necessary

2)We respect people’s privacy and peace of mind

  • We use the path when going up and down from the beach. We let other users pass us by
  • We ensure our activities do not take over the entire beach to the extent that other others feel unwelcome

3)Help land managers and others to work safely and effectively:

  • We let the Coastguard, Aberdeen Harbour and Aberdeen City Council know if anything is amiss when we are at the beach.
  • We leave all gates as we find them

4)Care for your environment

  • We avoid intentionally or recklessly disturbing or destroying plants, birds and other animal or geological features. We have a code of practice when rock pooling and exploring the beach
  • We have a leave no trace approach and take all our litter away. Our toileting procedures do not damage the environment.

6. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

In the event of an emergency, it is necessary to have a plan of action. Please see Appendix 9 for Aberdeen City Council advice and guidance which must be followed.

Minor incident

Children and adultsimmediately gather at the backpacks when called. Have a song ready to sing or simple game, if needed to distract and reassure children. If incident is managed group can return to normal activities in due course.

More severe incident

It may be necessary to leave the beach. If there is time, then try not to rush. Gather belongings and move group back to minibus and return to Maisie’s Centre. Non-driver to phone ahead. Be careful what is said over the phone in front of children.