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Dad and three children rescued by Porthdinllaen RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

On Wednesday at 5.30pm, Porthdinllaen RNLI volunteers were tasked to rescue a father and three children who had got into difficulties on their paddleboard in Porthdinllaen Bay.

Porthdinllaen Lifeboat pictured on a previous occasion

RNLI/Dylan Thomas

Porthdinllaen Lifeboat pictured on a previous occasion

With a strong offshore wind, the father and his three children had set off from the beach at Porthdinllaen on their paddleboard but had been caught out by the offshore wind and were being swept out to sea. Realising they were in immediate danger; the father had managed to get near enough to one of the local fishing boats moored in the bay and climbed onboard with his children. On shore, a relative had noticed their plight for help and alerted the Coastguard.

The Tamar Class RNLI lifeboat launched down the slipway and was alongside the moored craft in minutes. The father and his children were transferred onto the lifeboat along with their paddleboard, and after being assessed by a casualty care trained crew member and found to be no worse of their ordeal, they were re united with their mother ashore.

Kenneth Fitzpatrick, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Porthdinllaen said:

‘We urge anybody that ventures to sea whether on a paddleboard, kayak or any other craft, to check local weather and tide conditions, inform someone of your intentions ashore and when you expect to be back and not to exceed what your limitations and ability are, we want everybody to enjoy themselves but not to put themselves in danger’.

The RNLI wants everyone to enjoy their visit to the coast safely which is why the charity has been working with HM Coastguard and Paddle UK this summer to share our five key safety tips for when you head out on a paddleboard, kayak or canoe:

  • Always wear a buoyancy aid

  • Tell someone where you’re going

  • Carry a mobile phone

  • Check the weather

  • Know your limits.

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, Twitter 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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