Beaumaris lifeboat tasked to investigate object seeing falling from the sky.
On Thursday 4 June 2020 the volunteer crew of the RNLI Beaumaris Lifeboat was requested to search for an object seeing falling from the sky towards Laven sands on the Menai Strait.
The Beaumaris lifeboat Annette Mary Liddington launched at 5.45 pm and proceeded to the area in the meantime the Mobile Coastguard Rescue Teams from both Bangor and Penmon had also been tasked.
A Police helicopter also joined in the search as originally it was believed the object might have been a para glider in distress. The Bangor Mobile Rescue Team went to Gypsy Corner on the mainland whilst the Penmon team met the informant by Friars Bay on the Anglesey side of the Menai Strait.
In the meantime the lifeboat conducted a search from the sea and located some tied together balloons , nothing else being found it was now believed that these had been what the informant had seen falling.
Once this had been confirmed the U.K Coastguard instructed the lifeboat to return to the lifeboat station.
The inshore lifeboat with her volunteer crew then returned to her station at Beaumaris the lifeboat but as the crew then had to undertake a thorough clean of the vessel and equipment due to the Coronavirus pandemic. They did not leave the lifeboat station until after 7.45 pm.
Chris Cousens, Water Safety Lead for the RNLI in Wales said : “We urge the Welsh public to remember the following safety advice: Stay in familiar surroundings and follow the Welsh Government advice. Do not put yourself, your family and emergency services at risk by taking risks or assuming it ‘won’t happen to you’. If you do see someone at risk call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
A high proportion of calls for the RNLI in Wales are to those who have been to people cut off by the tide, including during the lockdown period. Some parts of Wales have amongst the highest tidal range in Europe, and a beach that was clear yesterday at 2pm might be completely covered in sea at the same time today. If you are heading out for a coastal walk, make sure it is safe before you go. Always check the tide times and conditions before you set off and while out, be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on the tide direction. Ask for local advice and look out for safety signs. Always carry a means of calling for help and know to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard if you or someone else is at risk.”
In Wales from Monday 1 June, the public who live within 5 miles are able to visit our beautiful coast. Enjoy your time near or on the sea but please be aware at the moment there are no lifeguard patrols, the tides can come in at speed. Always be aware of the tide coming in behind you, as you can get cut off on sand banks. RNLI Lifeboat volunteers remain on call 24 hours a day. Always remember if you get into trouble, or see someone in trouble at the coast, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
However, the changes to Government guidance does not mean our coasts are safe, the dangers that have always been there remain. We ask those who are local to the coast to continue to be aware of the inherent dangers.
Our strong advice to the Welsh public, who are not local to a beach, is to follow the Welsh Government guidance to meet outdoors and exercise locally and not to travel to the coast. Air temperatures may be warming up but the sea temperature remains consistently chilly all year, jumping or falling into cold water or spending longer periods than normal submerged in the water can lead to, potentially fatal, cold water shock.”
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.