Busy weekend for Denbighshire RNLI

The weekend (10–11 July), saw thousands of people head to the Welsh coastline as temperatures soared.

The RNLI strongly advises those visiting the coast to choose a lifeguarded beach. The warm weekend saw lifeguards deal with multiple incidents due to the sheer volume of people at the beaches combined with offshore winds.

Rhyl RNLI’s D class was firstly tasked to Kinmel Bay sandbank as three people had been cut off by the tide. A crew member assisted, and they were safely returned to shore. The crew were then diverted to Prestatyn, as the lifeguards had spotted inflatables blowing out to sea and requested their assistance.

Lifeguard Supervisor Fabio Camino spotted an inflatable boat and lilo blowing out to sea due to the offshore wind. Lifeguard Holly readied the rescue board and headed straight to their assistance.

On the paddle out, a member of the public informed Holly that the casualties had lost an oar which led to them drifting out. Holly arrived on scene and secured the boat to her rescued board using a rescue tube, the casualties were roughly 900m offshore.

After establishing that there were three casualties, one of whom was very tired and another couldn’t swim. A nearby fishing vessel came to assist by securing the lilo.

The inshore lifeboat arrived on scene and took a casualty onboard. All three casualties, as well as the boat and lilo were safely returned to shore.

RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor Fabio Cimmino said:

‘It’s great to see so many people getting out to enjoy the coast. We want everyone to have fun at the beach, but to do so safely.

‘When we fly the orange windsock, we strongly advise against taking inflatables of any kind in the water. Inflatables are very light and can quickly be blown out to sea. Whether it’s a paddleboard, kayak, dinghy or unicorn, they’re best saved for the swimming pool.

‘The lifeguards responded quickly and put their training to great use. Without their display of courage and critical thinking skills to request assistance of the lifeboat, the outcome for the casualties could’ve been very different.

‘If you find yourself or see anyone else in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

Later in the afternoon, Rhyl RNLI lifeboat was paged once again as two young casualties were being blown out to sea in a dinghy off Robin Hood Camp. The volunteer crew readied themselves and swiftly made their way to the scene.

On arrival, the casualties had abandoned the dinghy and were clinging to a post in the sea. Along with their inflatable, the casualties were returned to shore.

On their way back to the lifeboat station, the lifeboat crew were once again diverted to Kinmel Bay as another inflatable dinghy was blowing out to sea.

At the scene, the volunteer crew were met by casualties who had been trying to swim the dinghy against the wind to return to shore. They were helped into the D class and returned to shore.

Callum Robinson Deputy Coxswain at Rhyl RNLI Lifeboat Station said:

‘It’s very important that people understand the risks of taking inflatables in the sea. The offshore wind poses a great risk to those using inflatables as they can quickly be swept out to sea.

‘It was concerning to arrive at scenes over the weekend where one dinghy had been abandoned, and another where someone had got out and was attempting to swim it back to shore.

‘Getting out of or off your inflatable is not advised, even when you’re blowing out to sea. It’s always best to hang onto your floatation device, whatever it may be.

‘Most of our shouts over the weekend were called in by members of the public who happened to spot the people in difficulty.

‘Please remember to carry a means of contact, like a VHF radio or a mobile phone in a waterproof case when you’re heading out to sea, it could save your life.’

Media Contacts

For more information, please contact Anya Walton Media Engagement Placement at [email protected] or call 07977468268. Alternatively contact the RNLI Press Office at [email protected] or call 01202336789

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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