Two separate call-outs for Abersoch RNLI to people in the water.
Storm Ellen and the Spring tides brought powerful surging waves to the exposed coastal areas of North Wales resulting in a busy weekend for Abersoch RNLI volunteer crew who were paged twice to assist people in difficulty in the water.
The first call came on Friday (21 August) when the pagers went off at 11.35am following a report of two children in kayaks in Abersoch Bay who were struggling following a capsize and an outgoing tide together with the strong winds. The children, both wearing lifejackets, managed to get back into their vessels and return to the shore whilst being monitored by the volunteer crew. The lifeboat was stood-down by UK Coastguard at 11.53am.
On Saturday (22 August) UK Coastguard requested a launch at 4.37pm following reports of two people and one child in the water in Porth Neigwl who appeared to be in difficulty. The launch was subsequently cancelled as the casualties managed to return safely ashore.
Director of HM Coastguard, Claire Hughes says,
‘We’ve seen so many times how easy it is to get caught out by the sea.
‘Make sure you are always contactable at the coast by carrying a fully-charged mobile phone and if you get into trouble or see someone else in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’
Notes to editors
· Abersoch Lifeboat Station has been operating for just over 150 years. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/abersoch-lifeboat-station
· The current B Class Atlantic 85 Lifeboat launches to a variety of both commercial and leisure craft call-outs
RNLI Picture Caption
The photo of the inshore lifeboat is a library image which was taken before Covid-19 restrictions.
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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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