Busy weekend for New Quay RNLI

The New Quay ILB (inshore lifeboat) was called out on consecutive late afternoons with the first launch on Sunday, May 27 with Bernie Davies at the helm and Dylan Price and Heather Rees-Gaut. The Open Day had finished and as the crew were packing up they witnessed people stranded on the rocks nearby and a dinghy going to help.

The second took place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 28 with volunteer mechanic Simon Rigby at the helm, accompanied by crew members Huw Williams and George Walton.

Simon said, “We had a busy bank holiday weekend with the Open Day and then two shouts. The first was very near to the station where people were stuck on the rocks and ended up in the water and the second we launched to reports of two people and a dog cut off by the tide near Target Rock in New Quay. Once on the scene we found the people climbing up the rock face.”

As the RNLI’s national drowning prevention campaign Respect the Water enters its fifth year, the charity is urging anyone who finds themselves in trouble in cold water to stay calm and ‘float’. Simon also emphasises, “Remember if you get cut off by the tide, don’t put yourself in danger by climbing the cliffs. Raise the alarm and wait for help to arrive.”

Roger Couch, New Quay Lifeboat Operations Manager said, “We had a very successful Open Day on Sunday with people coming far and wide to support the lifeboat station here in New Quay. We raised nearly £1,000 which is excellent and I would like to thank all those involved, the crew and the fundraisers as without them it would not have been possible.

“The volunteer crew at New Quay station show dedication and commitment by giving their time and bravery. As recent figures have shown eight people lost their lives at the coast of Wales in 2017 with 12 in 2016, of these figures over half had not intended to enter the water therefore vigilance around the coastline is key.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Images:

1. Stormy Stan with crew members (L-R) Huw Williams, Simon Rigby, Laura Mears and (back row) Dylan Price with future crew Connor and Chad

2. New Lifeboat Open Day

3. New Quay inshore lifeboat arriving back from shout with crew members Huw Williams, Simon Rigby & George Walton

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