Porthcawl’s Rescue Fest 2018 a Huge Success
The event organised by just three RNLI volunteer crew to support Wale’s ‘Year of the Sea’ saw the town’s Cosy Corner, slipway and breakwater area full of various rescue organisations stands and equipment.
With brilliant weather the event which centred on Porthcawl’s RNLI lifeboat station attracted thousands of visitors to the area. Amongst those organisations supporting Rescue Fest 2018 were The Mumbles Tamar class RNLI Lifeboat, Coastguard Helicopter 187, Porthcawl and Llantwit Major Coastguard units, South Wales Police, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Welsh Ambulance Service, Welsh Ambulance Service HART Team, Welsh Urban Search & Rescue Team, Western Beacons Mountain Rescue Team, Surf Life Saving Wales, St John’s Ambulance, Porthcawl National Coastwatch, Porthcawl Sea Cadets, Margam Model Boat Club and Welsh Newfoundland Activity Group - Dog Rescue Demonstration.
The Wave radio station provided live coverage from Porthcawl during the day. RNLI displays were provided by both Porthcawl’s lifeboats and The Mumbles all weather lifeboat. There was water safety advice and free lifejacket checks offered too.
The event opened at 10:30 with a packed programme right through until after 16:00. Each Rescue service treating the visitors to the opportunity of watching many of the vital rescue methods used to help casualties who may be in distress either on land or sea.
Organisers Chris Page, Chris Missen and Sam Williams each crew members at Porthcawl, commented, ‘The event idea came to us earlier this year and following many hours of preparation we are delighted to see how successful the day went. Comments on Facebook have been very positive and we are aware already of a couple of our supporters, from London, Sunderland and Powys, saying they watched the event via our webcam.
Unfortunately the helicopter exercise was cancelled at the last minute as it had been tasked to an incident at the Gower.
We are so grateful to all those who gave their time to put on our Rescue Fest 2018 and to those to who helped by sponsoring us in different ways’.
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.