Residents were still out on boats just a few hours ahead of Hurricane Gonzalo’s full force hitting Bermuda.

Bermuda Police Service Superintendent Martin Weekes said officers had received calls about people still being out on the water this morning and this afternoon.

“We need people to moor them and go on to land and get somewhere safe,” he told the Emergency Broadcast Station at about 3.30pm.

Photographs of people kite-surfing, climbing rocks and at beaches have been widely circulating today — with police urging people to get indoors.

“We have all seen this over the years,” Supt Weekes said. “High surf and swells will pull out people who like adventure sports.

“It’s dangerous on a regular stormy day.

“I know people will do it, we can’t tell them not to — there’s nothing in the constitution that says we can make someone come in.

“We can only express concerns and make sure people understand the risks they’re putting themselves at, and the emergency services under.”