Schools out for summer:RNLI works with Visit Wales to offer top tips to families
As schools across Wales break for the summer holiday, the RNLI has teamed up with Visit Wales and Adventure Smart Wales to offer key safety advice for families looking to enjoy the Welsh coastline.
The RNLI has provided some top tips on how to stay safe and be adventure smart on the coast and has also listed its top ten lifeguarded beaches in Wales. Visit Wales is working with the RNLI to share this advice and ensure visitors have the essential Respect The Water information to hand before hitting the beach, setting sail or walking the Wales coastal path.
As 2018 is Year of the Sea, the RNLI has also produced a short video celebrating the charity’s presence in Wales and the role of its dedicated volunteers saving lives at sea.
Faye Maher, RNLI Marketing Manager for the RNLI in Wales says:
‘It’s no surprise that the Welsh coastline is consistently the most popular visitor destination for tourists and so it’s fantastic to see Visit Wales being supportive in sharing our Respect The Water messaging. Visit Wales statistics show that 70% of visitors to the coast originate from the North West, Midlands and from within Wales. When looking at people being rescued in Wales by the RNLI and where they originate from, the trend is similar. It’s important we share safety advice with day-trippers and holidaymakers before they set off for the coast and we’re grateful that Visit Wales is helping us to reach these new audiences.
‘With 2018 being Year of the Sea, it’s also an opportunity to show appreciation to RNLI volunteers at the heart of our coastal communities who keep us safe around our Welsh coast’
The RNLI is an active member of Adventure Smart Wales, part funded by the Welsh Government, to encourage visitors to #BeAdventureSmart when having adventures in the great Welsh outdoors > http://www.adventuresmartwales.com/en/home/
Lord Elis-Thomas, Welsh Assembly Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport said:
'Although we want everyone to have a great time experiencing Wales’ coast during the Year of the Sea – it’s important that everyone knows how to enjoy the outdoors and coast in a safe way, and what to do if difficulties arise. Our collaboration with the RNLI raises awareness of the importance of being properly prepared for the great outdoors. A little preparation can go a long way in making an adventure safe, reduce the burden on our rescue services - and make a holiday memorable for the right reasons. I’d also like to thank the RNLI and their fantastic volunteers and staff for keeping people safe on the coast.'
There are 30 lifeboat stations and 40 lifeguarded beaches in Wales. In 2017, volunteer lifeboat crews launched 1,082 times across Wales, offering assistance to 1,169 people and lifeguards dealt with 1,079 incidents. Together RNLI lifesavers assisted 2,348 people in 2017.
Chris Cousens, RNLI Community Safety Partner said:
‘Working together we hope to promote how to enjoy the Welsh coastline safely. There will be many ways we will be promoting this over the summer, including on social media and on the Visit Wales website. We always recommend that if you are heading to the coast, you visit a lifeguarded beach, there are over 40 beaches in Wales patrolled by RNLI Lifeguards. If you see someone in trouble at the coast dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
For RNLI safety information please visit www.rnli.org.uk/safety
Ends
Notes to editors
To download the video, please visit: https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2018/july/18/visit-wales-year-of-the-sea-2018
For the web article please visit: http://bit.ly/CoastalSafety (English) / http://bit.ly/ArYTraeth (Welsh)
For the lifeguarded beach article visit:
http://bit.ly/RNLIBeaches (English) /
http://bit.ly/TraethauRNLI (Welsh)
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Media Manager (Wales and West) on 07786 668829 or 01745 585162. Alternatively contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.
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.