Mumbles lifeboat called to person cut off by tide

Just after 1.30 the volunteer crew of the Mumbles all weather lifeboat were called to the aid of a stranded woman who had been cut off by the tide.

The call was made to UK Coastguard at Milford Haven as the woman had got trapped at the old smuggling haunt of Culver hole. A UK Coastguard helicopter was called from St Athan plus the Coastguard Cliff rescue team. The Mumbles lifeboat provided cover at sea while the Coastguard helicopter attempted a rescue.

Conditions made it difficult to help the casualty by helicopter. One of the cliff rescue team was lowered to the entrance of the cave and the casualty was winched to safety by hand.

The lifeboat returned to station and was refuelled and ready for service by 5pm

Lifeboat crew member Andrew Edwards said ‘The Bristol Channel has the highest rise and fall in the UK. We would urge anyone going near the sea over the Christmas holidays to ensure the check the tide time and keep an eye on the weather. If you do suspect anyone to be in trouble then call the Coastguard on 999’.

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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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