Llandudno Inshore Lifeboat in New Year's Day lifesaving rescue
Holyhead Coastguard alerted the Llandudno and Conwy Lifeboats at 4.04pm on New Year’s Day in response to an emergency call requesting an immediate launch.
There were reports that a woman walking her dog was in imminent danger of being marooned on the sandbanks off Llandudno’s west shore by the incoming tide.
Llandudno’s RNLI inshore lifeboat Dr. Barbara Saunderson with her volunteer crew launched at west shore at 4.16pm to affect a speedy recovery as conditions worsened due to the rapidly incoming tide, failing light and cold wind conditions on the water.
The inshore lifeboat with her volunteer crew were relieved to locate a very cold and shocked walker and her dog, who by this time were becoming perilously surrounded by the incoming waters and at serious risk of drowning. The Conwy ILB also arrived to provide assistance and escorted the Dr. Barbara Saunderson back to the shore where the casualties, both safe and well, were handed over to the awaiting Coastguard team.
The Llandudno and Conwy lifeboats were then able to return to their respective stations to prepare for future launches.
Captain Marcus Elliott, Llandudno Lifeboat Volunteer Operations Manager said, ‘Thinking of local dangers, I would urge everyone, whether local or not, to check tide times if they are planning to walk near the coast. Shorelines can be dangerous places and tide times can vary. In the past we’ve launched to numerous people who have been cut off by the tide. We’d recommend people always take a means of calling for help with them when visiting the coast.’
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Jonathan Coe, Llandudno Lifeboat Press Officer on 07910 861193. Alternatively contact Eleri Roberts, RNLI Media Officer on 01745 585162 / 07771 941390 or email [email protected].
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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