RNLI lifeguards recue family cut off by tide off New Quay
RNLI lifeguards rescued a family of five and their pet dogs who were stuck on the rocks after being cut off by the tide off Traeth Gwyn, New Quay yesterday afternoon.
RNLI Mechanic Ben Billingham was at the lifeboat station when he spotted the family and their three dogs stuck on the rocks between Traeth Gwyn and the harbour at 3:30pm. Ben radioed the lifeguard team who immediately went over to investigate.
Lifeguard Rhodri Evans was already on a rescue board patrolling the water; he paddled over to the rocks to assist the family, shortly followed by lifeguard Morgan Williams. The lifeguards skilfully paddled the rescue boards close to the rocks so that the mother, three children and a dog could climb safely on board and returned to shore. The father, carrying the family’s second pet dog, waded through the water with the assistance of the lifeguards.
Shortly after the family were returned to shore the lifeguards spotted another group of people trying to wade their way through the water over to the same location. The group of ten people included children and a baby. The lifeguards immediately stopped the group from making the journey.
Sam Trevor RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor said:
‘The RNLI lifeguards and lifeboat crew have assisted numerous groups who have unfortunately found themselves cut off by the tide over the last week. We urge people to please check the tide times before setting out on the coast. It’s very easy to go out for a walk on the coast only to find that the sand has disappeared and the tide is coming in. If you find yourself in this situation please don’t attempt to wade through the water yourself – this can be extremely dangerous. Instead call 999 and ask for the Coastguard who will task either the lifeguards or the lifeboat crew to come out and help.’
RNLI lifeguards will be providing a daily safety service on 39 of Wales’ busiest beaches over the summer holidays. The charity’s lifeguards already provide a daily safety service on New Quay and Llangrannog beaches.
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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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