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St Davids RNLI volunteer crew rescue three stand up paddle boarders

Lifeboats News Release

St Davids RNLI volunteer crew were paged at 2:17pm on Wednesday 31st August after a series of 999 calls concerned for the welfare of three stand-up paddle boarders blown out to sea off Caerfai Bay.

Paul James

Norah Wortley and daughter boat rescuing SUP boarders in Caerfai Bay

Calls were made to HM Coastguard by both onlookers and the casualties themselves.

The charity’s all-weather Tamar class lifeboat, Norah Wortley, launched shortly after and made best speed to the location.

The casualties were swiftly located using binoculars and were already three quarters of a mile offshore.

Once safely aboard the lifeboat, the casualties were returned to their launch point at Caerfai beach using our daughter boat. They were greeted by St Davids Coastguard Rescue Team who provided assistance once ashore.

Will Chant, RNLI Coxswain for St Davids RNLI lifeboat, says: ‘Thankfully the casualties each had their own mobile devices protected in waterproof cases which enabled them to make the vital call for help. By remaining together on their stand-up paddle boards, they ensured we were able to locate and rescue them swiftly. If you’re heading to sea, check the forecast local weather conditions and always carry a means of calling for help.’

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Simone Eade, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07799 804 922 or [email protected] or Claire Elshaw, Regional Media Officer on 7468 353 082 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI online

For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.

RNLI/St Davids Lifeboat Station

Daughter boat returning SUP boarders to Caerfai beach

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.

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