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Penarth RNLI crews rush to mystery objects in sea

Lifeboats News Release

Penarth lifeboat volunteers were called by Milford Haven Coastguard shortly after 9.20pm last night, Thursday 17th May 2018.

RNLI/Andy Berry

Penarth RNLI recover 10 soft-landing air bags
Members of the public spotted a large number of unknown objects floating in the sea just off Penarth. Our Atlantic class lifeboat was out on the water at the time, as crew members were undergoing assessments, and so we were able to get to the objects quickly.

On investigation the objects were found to be soft landing air bags that are routinely used in the construction industry. Whether they had been discarded into the water, or accidentally washed into the sea we do not know.

The air bags (ten in total) were brought back to the seafront to be collected.

Jason Dunlop Lifeboat Operations Manager for Penarth RNLI said, "These objects posed a hazard to shipping of all sizes whilst in the water. We are grateful to the members of the public that spotted them and called the coastguard. We would ask construction site managers to make sure any similar equipment is secure, not only are they are a hazard to shipping but pose a risk to children who might play with them on the water. We had an incident last year when two children were swept out to sea on identical bags, and they were very lucky to be rescued without injury."

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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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