RNLI lifeguards at Whitsand Bay assist ten people cut off by tide
RNLI lifeguards on patrol at Whitsand Bay, south east Cornwall, have helped ten people cut off by the tide in the last two days.
With evening spring high tides this week, the RNLI is reminding people to be aware of the tide conditions when out enjoying the coast.
The latest incident happened last night (Wednesday 20 July) at around 6.20pm when RNLI lifeguards Jake Marshall and Mike Annells were on the water in the inshore rescue boat (IRB) and spotted two teenagers climbing over rocks near the Happy Valley area of the bay, heading towards Tregonhawke.
The teenagers, one female and one male, were making progress but would have been unable to get around the last rocky outcrop to the beach. Lifeguards beached their IRB and retrieved the casualties into the boat and took them safely round to Tregonhawke where they could exit the beach up the cliff.
A similar incident happened the day before, on Tuesday (19 July) when eight teenagers were rescued near Freathy. They had also become cut off by the incoming tide and were trying to climb back around from an area known locally as Frying Pan to Freathy. RNLI lifeguards Jake and Mike used the inshore rescue boat to transport all eight casualties back to safety.
RNLI lifeguards at Tregonhawke and Tregantle will be working until 7pm when the high tides coincide with the evening, to ensure people enjoying the beach later in the day are kept safe.
RNLI lifeguard Jake Marshall reminds people to check the tide conditions: ‘We’re experiencing spring tides this week which create faster and stronger currents, and as a result the tide can come in quicker than people may expect.
‘There is a huge expanse of beach at Whitsand Bay when the tide is out, but when the tide turns, many areas become cut off with no access back up the cliff. The RNLI lifeguards carry out preventative patrols in our inshore rescue boat when the tide is coming in to ensure people are clear from the several cut-off areas across the bay.
‘We urge people to check the tide times and conditions before heading down to Whitsand Bay and ensure they have a clear exit route from the beach at all times. The lifeguards are on hand to help should you have any questions, so please don’t hesitate to come and speak to one of the team.’
RNLI media contacts
For further information, please contact either Emma Haines, RNLI Public Relations Manager, on 07786 668847 or email [email protected] or Chloe Smith, RNLI Press Officer, on 07920 818807 or 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.