Criccieth RNLI Lifeboats rescue walker and dog at Black Rock Sands

Both Lifeboats were immediately launched from Criccieth Beach and made-way towards the walkers location at the eastern end of Black Rock Sands. The Lifeboats were guided towards the exact location by an on-shore team from HM Coastguard.

Due to the walker’s location, it was decided that the Station's smaller inshore-rescue-boat would approach the casualty and the dog, whilst the larger Atlantic 85 Lifeboat stood-by. Once safely aboard, both the walker and the dog were transferred ashore to the care of the awaiting HM Coastguard team.

The incident occurred along a sandbank which has been the scene of numerous rescues over the past few years. The extensive sandbank is exposed at low-tide but is swiftly cut-off from the beach by a deep, swift moving channel of water, as the tide rises.

Once the Lifeboats and crew were back ashore at Criccieth, the boats and equipment were disinfected in-line with Covid-19 protocols.

Following the incident, Criccieth's Acting Lifeboat Operations Manager, Chris Fisher stated "As we emerge from a period of lockdown and people start accessing our coastline for leisure purposes, I would like to remind people to check local tide-times and ensure they plan their route accordingly. In addition, anyone finding themselves cut-off by the tide should call 999 immediately, ask for HM Coastguard and await rescue - they should not attempt to swim ashore."

ENDS
For further information, please contact Ifer Gwyn on 07554445316

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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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