Porthcawl RNLI lifeboats diverted from exercise to assist surfer
Porthcawl's Atlantic and D-class RNLI lifeboats were called away from training on Sunday morning to assist a surfer unable to beat the tide.
HM Coastguard requested the assistance of Porthcawl RNLI at 10.10am following concerns for a surfer who was believed to be in difficulties, drifting towards rocks at Rest Bay.
With a heavy swell running and a strong offshore wind, the Atlantic 85 RNLI lifeboat arrived on scene and ran along the swell line looking for the casualty.
The volunteer crew spotted the casualty but the surf was too big for the Atlantic to get close to assist. The D-class lifeboat was also tasked, was directed towards the casualty by the Atlantic.
The D-class was then taken into the surf and help to assisted the casualty ashore. He had not sustained any injuries.
Both lifeboat then returned to the exercise.
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.
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