Porthcawl RNLI Volunteers Reflect on 2018
Porthcawl lifeboat crews launched their lifeboats 120 times in response to incidents during the year. Casualties varied widely from surfers, windsurfers, broken down vessels and persons cut off by the incoming tide.
Deputy Launch Authority, Stephen Jones, commented, ‘2018 was our busiest year ever for shouts and there appeared no common reason for the high numbers of incidents. Even the hot summer weather alone could not be blamed.
Besides being on standby 24/7, for 365 days of the year our volunteer crews’ train each Sunday morning and Wednesday evening to build and maintain the skills required to meet casualty needs.
Recently twelve crew attended an intensive three day First Aid and Casualty Care course held at Porthcawl; all twelve were successful and received the relevant RNLI certificates’.
Phil Missen MBE, Lifeboat Operation Manager said, ‘As always we have worked with other emergency services on many of our launches and this teamwork is essential in helping those who find themselves in danger on our beaches or at sea.
As a busy station we are always having to review our personnel needs and I would encourage anyone interested and living in Porthcawl to view our website, www.porthcawl-lifeboat.co.uk for details of becoming a RNLI volunteer’.
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 142,700 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.