Barmouth ILB launches to dinghy drifting out to sea
On Thursday 17 September 2020, inshore lifeboat, (ILB) Craig Steadman launched to a dingy drifting out to sea. At 12.20pm ILB Craig Steadman was self-launched by Barmouth RNLI crew after they had seen the dingy drifting out to sea from the boathouse with two people on board.
In good visibility and slight seas, ILB Craig Steadman and her volunteer crew of Daryl James, Kyle Smith and Peter Davies, at helm, launched straight out into Cardigan Bay.
On reaching the Dinghy, approximately one mile off shore, the two nineteen-year old girls on board were unaware of the dangers posed by the tides and off-shore wind. The crew offered advice and recovered the casualties and dinghy to the beach. Returning to the boathouse, ILB Craig Steadman was readied the for service
Coxswain Peter Davies said: ‘Many of the calls we respond to involve inflatables and this is the main reason why the RNLI strongly advise against taking them to the beach. Inflatables are not designed for open water and it takes very little breeze for them to be swept out to sea much quicker than you can swim or [addle back to shore. What may seem fun at first can turn into an extremely serious situation, in just a matter of seconds.’
For more information please contact Sarah Radford Barmouth Lifeboat Press Officer on 07887 492210 or Eleri Roberts, RNLI Regional Media Officer – Wales and North West on 07771 941390 / 01745 585162
Key facts about the RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen, Carrybridge and Lough Ree. Additionally, the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices
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
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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.