Three in imminent danger in two separate incidents rescued by Porthcawl RNLI

RNLI volunteers were first called at 1.50pm to rescue a kayaker who had capsized and was in the water and unable to climb back on board his kayak off Ogmore by Sea.

The station's Atlantic 85 lifeboat Rose of the Shires was on scene within 15 minutes of the initial page and rescued the kayaker who had been swept eastwards towards rocks at Ogmore Deeps, Ogmore by Sea.

The lifeboat crew were directed to the casualty by members of the public pointing from the rocks above. Conditions were rough and the casualty had been swept close to rocks and was clinging to his kayak. He was too close to rocks for the lifeboat to get alongside so a crew member swam to the casualty with a line and both were pulled back aboard the lifeboat along with his kayak.

The casualty was taken back to Porthcawl and checked over as he had been in the water for over 20 minutes but no further medical assistance was required.

Coastguards paged PorthcawlCoastguards paged Porthcawl lifeboat crew for a second time at 5.19pm to reports of two people who were cut off by the tide east of our station near Witches Point at Southerndown.

Both the D-class lifeboat Jean Ryall and the Atlantic 85 were launched on service. The casualties were rescued by the D-class which veered back on its anchor line onto the rocky shore. Once safely on board the casualties were then transferred to the larger Atlantic 85 lifeboat and brought safely ashore at Porthcawl lifeboat station as it was considered unsafe to land the casualties at Southerndown due to the conditions on the slipway there.

Lifeboat Operations Manager at Porthcawl, Philip Missen, said: ‘This afternoon proved yet again the value of our lifeboat service and the dedication of our crews. At this time of year we get people cut off by the tide along our coast, especially east of Porthcawl. I would like to re-emphasise the importance of checking tide times before venturing along some our beautiful coast.

'The kayaker fortunately had clung onto his craft which makes it easier for our crews to locate a casualty. With the RNLI’s current safety campaign Respect the Water running, I would like to say how important it is for all water craft users to have some form of buoyancy aid and a means for calling for help should the need arise.'

Notes to editors:

The attached pictures, which should be credited RNLI/Porthcawl, show: 

- Porthcawl RNLI lifeboat crew approaching the kayaker in the water.

- The kayaker being pulled from the water into the lifeboat.

- The D-class lifeboat picking up the pair cut off by the tide.

RNLI media contacts:

For further information contact Ian Stroud, Lifeboat Press Officer, Porthcawl, on 07590 777875.

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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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