Call out for Penarth RNLI crews
Penarth lifeboat crew were paged shortly before 7pm on Tuesday 24 May 2016 together with HM Coastguard Penarth’s team, to two people seen crossing the causeway at Sully Island against a flooding tide.
The volunteer RNLI crews were stood down as they were assembling at the lifeboat station, following confirmation from the scene was that all people involved were safe.
Information received after the call was that four bystanders on the shore went to assist using lifebuoys, with two people actually entering the water to help the individuals concerned.
One person was assisted out of the water and was subsequently checked by ambulance crews whilst the other was able to get out of the water unaided.
Nicola Davies, RNLI Community Incident Reduction Manager, said:
'The tide at Sully Island can move very quickly and can catch people unaware. The causeway to the island is open three hours before low water to three hours after it - on the Barry tide times.
'We ask people going to Sully Island to always check the tidal sign located on the wall heading down to the causeway to check when if it is safe to cross. If it is green it is safe to go and the sign will tell people how long they can safely stay on the island.
'If it shows amber then you must be cautious as the tide is heading back in, if the sign is showing red our advice is never to go to the island as there is a real risk of being cut off.
'If anyone does get stuck on the island our advice is not to try and wade ashore, which is a dangerous thing to do. People can easily be swept away by the currents. People should stay on the island and dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’
Notes to editors:
For more information please telephone Penarth Lifeboat Press Officer Andy Berry on 07951 051128.
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