Barmouth RNLI called out to dinghy in difficulties

The volunteer crew attended the scene and spotted a dinghy on the foreshore of Penrhyn Point, near Fairbourne.  It appeared that three men had launched the dinghy into the main channel from a point near the perch off Ynys y Brawd and had been swept by the incoming tide and a northwesterly force two to three wind down towards Penrhyn Point.

While the crew were at the scene, the men emerged from the sand dunes and relaunched the dinghy.  They struggled to paddle back in the fast running tide in the channel and were being swept towards Barmouth Bridge.  However, the volunteer lifeboat crew were able to go to their aid by paddling in the chest-high water to reach the boat and drag it and its occupants back to the shore where they were given safety advice.

Since the barrage across the north channel between the mainland and Ynys y Brawd was erected in the 1970s, there has been a considerable build-up of wind-blown sand making access to the island much easier for the public.  As a consequence, more and more people venture out towards the perch and are in danger of being cut off by the tide or getting into trouble in the fast flowing waters of the main channel.

Coxswain Peter Davies said:

‘The water in this area can be unpredictable, with waves, tides and hidden currents that can drag you out to sea in seconds.  We would urge anyone to check the weather and tide times before putting to sea, to make sure your craft is suitable for purpose and that each person is wearing a lifejacket.’

Media Contacts

For further information, please contact Norma Stockford, Barmouth Lifeboat Press Officer on 07917 245882 or Danielle Rush, Public Relations Manager in Wales on 01745 585162 or 07786 668829.

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.