New Quay RNLI spearheads community engagement for sea safety
New Quay RNLI has met more than 200 children in the past month to promote sea safety advice.
With the summer school holidays upon us and thousands of families flocking to the shores to enjoy the summer sun and water sports, New Quay RNLI Lifeboat Station has been spreading the sea safety message.
In just one month New Quay RNLI has shown over 200 children from six schools and two Scout and Girl Guide groups around the lifeboat station and informed them of the RNLI’s essential safety advice.
Not only have schools from Ceredigion been visiting but schools from Carmarthenshire and further afield have also been to see New Quay’s all-weather lifeboat.
Gareth Rhys Jones, Head teacher of Ysgol Llanllwni in Carmarthenshire said, “The children and staff of Ysgol Llanllwni had a fantastic day at New Quay whilst visiting the RNLI boathouse. The children had the opportunity to talk to the RNLI staff regarding offshore and onshore safety and also had an opportunity to see the all-weather lifeboat and the smaller inshore lifeboat.
“The visit was extremely beneficial to the school and it has inspired the pupils to create art and written work based on the theme of the seaside. I would like to thank the staff of the RNLI for their time and for their enthusiasm during the visit. We look forward to visiting again in the future.”
To round off the busy summer school term New Quay RNLI attended Ysgol Ceinewydd’s Emergency Services’ morning at New Quay Fire Station. They joined the Coastguard, Fire Service, Dyfed Powys Police, Wales Air Ambulance and the RNLI Lifeguards.
Pete Yates, New Quay RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Helm and parent of two New Quay School pupils said,
“It was a good opportunity for the children to see the lifeboat, learn about sea safety, and see how the different emergency services work together. Hopefully some will join the crew in future.”
Watersports and coastal activities are at their height during the summer months and New Quay’s RNLI team have been echoing the RNLI’s ‘Float to Live’ campaign, urging anyone who finds themselves in trouble in cold water to stay calm and float.
Roger Couch, New Quay RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said,
“Over half of the people who lost their lives on the coast of Wales last year had not intended to go into the water. This year the charity is calling on the public to practice the ‘float’ survival skill – a simple skill that could mean the difference between life and death – and to share this lifesaving knowledge with others.
“If you get into trouble in cold water, the RNLI’s advice is to float on your back for a short time to regain control of your breathing. And if you see someone else in danger in the water at the coast, fight your instinct to go in and try to rescue them yourself, instead call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
“Every year New Quay RNLI engages with hundreds of school children, families and local groups to promote sea safety and demonstrate the lifesaving capabilities of the all-weather and inshore lifeboats we have stationed here in New Quay.
“We also carry out regular exercises with all the rowing clubs in Ceredigion and also coming up we have a joint exercise with the local RNLI lifeguards.”
New Quay RNLI Lifeboat Station will be open to the public every day over the summer holidays and there will be regular exercise launches to watch. For more information please go to https://www.facebook.com/NewQuayLifeboatStation/.
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.