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Port Talbot RNLI volunteers have busy Bank Holiday

Lifeboats News Release

Port Talbot RNLI volunteers were paged multiple times during the sunny and hot Bank Holiday weather.

RNLI/Ceri Jeffreys

Port Talbot Bank Holiday multi call outs

On Bank Holiday Monday (29 May) Port Talbot lifeboat, Craig Morris, was tasked at 1:52pm by HM Coastguard to reports of a four-year-old missing child last see at the water's edge.

The lifeboat launched quickly and commenced a search of Aberavon beach. During the search, confirmation was received that the child had been found by local Coastguard officers who were also involved in the search.

Port Talbot volunteers were then asked by RNLI lifeguards to check on paddle boarders who appeared to be drifting out to sea pushed by a strong offshore wind. Port Talbot lifeboat attended confirming with the people that they were safe and making their way back to shore.

Whilst returning from this service, Port Talbot lifeboat was again tasked to investigate a Kayak that was drifting out to sea due to a strong offshore wind. The lifeboat made best speed to the location, half a nautical mile off the Swn Y More nursing home, Aberavon beach.

On arrival, the helm spoke to the occupants who stated they did not require any assistance. Port Talbot lifeboat volunteer crew then gave safety information and returned to station.

Port Talbot RNLI volunteers were tasked a further two times by HM Coastguard that afternoon to launch to paddleboarders. Firstly to a report of a young female paddle boarder being blown out to sea at Aberavon sands. The volunteer crew were in the process of driving out of the station to launch when a cancellation was received regarding the incident. AS the paddle-boarder had managed to get themselves to safety.

The volunteer crew were then taked again to two paddle boarders on one paddle board struggling to return to shore against the offshore wind. The location given was the Stalheim Wreck Buoy, one nautical mile offshore. Port Talbot Lifeboat made best speed to the location. On arrival the helm decided the best course of action was to take both persons onboard the lifeboat . Both were then conveyed to the small side of Aberavon beach and placed into the care of the local Coastguard unit. Port Talbot lifeboat then returned to station, where it was washed down and made ready for service.



Clive Morris, Port Talbot Lifeboat Operations Manager,said: 'It has been a very busy day for our crews with three incidents reported within an hour.

'I would like to remind members of the public, when there is an offshore wind, it is very dangerous to venture out on the water in any sort of inflatable craft. The wind can blow you out to sea very quickly. The RNLI lifeguards are there to offer advice and best practice. We want everybody to enjoy the beach and warm weather, if the wind is blowing off the shore then please be extra careful.

'With the weather forecast to continue to be hot and sunny, we at Port Talbot lifeboat would like to remind all parents of the wrist labels that can be obtained at our shop, which includes safety advice and your contact details, should your child go missing.'

RNLI Contacts

For more information please contact Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer Ceri Jeffreys on [email protected] or Regional Media Officer Claire Elshaw on [email protected] / 07468 353 082



RNLI/Ceri Jeffreys

Port Talbot Bank Holiday multi call outs

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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