Newquay RNLI lifeboat volunteers assist couple trapped by tide
Newquay's RNLI lifeboat volunteers were alerted at 7.05pm on Friday (15 July) and launched the charity's two inshore lifeboats to a group of people in difficulties at Porth.
The group had been body boarding when they began to struggle in currents at the northern side of Porth Beach. Fortunately, with assistance from the kayaker and surfer, the group were able to reach the shore safely, and when the two RNLI lifeboat crews arrived at Porth, the man and two children were on the beach, being treated for minor injuries by a paramedic from Newquay Coastguard rescue team. RNLI volunteers went ashore in the D class inshore lifeboat to check that no further assistance was required, before returning to Newquay Harbour at 7.30pm.
The second call of the weekend came at 1.48pm on Sunday (17 July), when Newquay's RNLI volunteers again launched both inshore lifeboats, this time following a report of two people trapped by the incoming tide at Bedruthan Steps.
The two people from the West Midlands were found around two-and-a-half hours before high tide by RNLI lifeguards from Mawgan Porth who also responded to the call in their inshore rescue boat. Despite the light north-westerly wind, there was a two-metre swell coming into shore around the steps to the beach, so it was decided to transfer the couple from the shore to Newquay's D class inshore lifeboat one-at-a-time and they were then landed safely on Mawgan Porth Beach by the RNLI volunteers, where members of Padstow Coastguard met the pair and returned them to their car.
Newquay RNLI volunteer lifeboat operations manager, Gareth Horner, said after the weekend's calls: 'We want people to enjoy their visits to the coast during the school holidays, so please visit beaches during lifeguard-hours and always check local tide times, remembering that it is possible to be trapped a few hours before high tide'.
Key facts about the RNLI
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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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