Woman rescued from the water by Barry Dock RNLI lifeboat volunteers

The alarm was raised by her friends on the beach after she entered the water after enjoying a few drinks together on the beach.  Her friends became concerned when she was lost from sight. 
 
The lifeboat crew were called to the scene shortly before 7pm on Monday evening (18 July).  The Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter was also scrambled.  Lifeboat crew launched both the bigger all-weather lifeboat and the smaller inshore ‘boarding’ boat stationed at Barry. 
 
Within minutes, the woman was rescued from the sea as she was pulled into the boarding boat.  She was transferred to the all-weather lifeboat for first aid then brought ashore before being transferred to the care of paramedics.  Police and Coastguards were also on scene. 
 
Hugh ‘Spud’ Davies, Deputy Coxswain, said ‘despite the warm weather, the seas around our coast remain cold.  Cold water shock can kill.  The dangers of swimming after drinking alcohol are well known so we remind everyone to respect the water this summer.

'We would also advise anyone thinking of going for a swim in the sea this summer to do so at a lifeguarded beach where there are trained lifeguards there to provide safety advice and assistance. RNLI lifeguards are on duty at Whitmore Bay on Barry Island between 10am and 6pm every day throughout the summer.’
 
On Saturday (16 July) the crew were called out to assist a 41ft sailing yacht with a broken engine.  Although the yacht was able to continue under sail to Cardiff barrage, Barry Dock RNLI lifeboat worked with Penarth RNLI lifeboat to take it safely through the lock at Cardiff Bay and onto its mooring. 

Notes to editors:

Pictured: Barry Dock RNLI ‘boarding’ lifeboat.  Credit Steve Dunscome/RNLI

Media contacts:

For more information please contact: Abi Phillips, Barry Dock RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07973 293587 or by email [email protected].

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.