Horton and Port Eynon lifeboat launched three times in less than 24 hours

On Thursday 19 September just after 8pm, the lifeboat was launched after information was received that someone was shouting for help at Hunts Bay, Pennard near Three Cliffs. The crew of the lifeboat conducted an extensive search of the area but were unable to locate anyone in difficulty. The search was called off and the lifeboat returned to the station.

At 10.12am the following morning (Friday 20 September), the lifeboat pagers summoned the crew to the station and the lifeboat was launched. A kayaker and paddleboarder who were in difficulty off Oxwich Point, had used a mobile phone they had with them to call for help. The crew of the lifeboat located the two people in difficulty 3/4 of a mile off Oxwich Point.

They were taken on board the lifeboat and brought back to the beach at Oxwich. The kayaker and paddleboarder were aware of a rip at Oxwich Point and had believed they had avoided it, only to realise they were caught in it. Wisely they then decided to make their way towards the safety of Port Eynon Bay as they would not have been able to paddle back into Oxwich Bay against the strong rip current in choppy conditions.

Later that day, shortly before 6pm, the lifeboat was again launched after a report was received from HM Coastgurad of two people cut-off by the tide on Worms Head, Rhossili. Once the lifeboat crew were on scene the casualties were taken on board and transported safely back to shore in Rhossili. Although the sea was calm, because it was a large spring tide the speed of the flooding water was particularly quick.

The volunteer crew members from Horton and Port Eynon RNLI for the three shouts included Jon Tarrant, Abi Penney, Bryn Kirke, Stuart Payne, Anthony Payne and Will Metcalfe.

Lawrie Grove, Horton and Port Eynon RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said:

‘I would remind everyone when on a paddleboard, kayak, other craft or walking near the sea to always have a mobile phone or radio with them, so that if they do get into difficulty they can call for help by dialling 999 and asking for the Coastguard.

'Also it's always a good idea to let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. I would also remind people when walking on or near the coast to make sure that they check local tide times and plan walks accordingly. You should never try to to swim or wade to shore when cut off by the tide, it can be extremely dangerous.

'The causeway at Rhossili that leads to Worms Head is usually open 2 ½ hours either side of low tide and the times it is open are displayed near to the causeway.’

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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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