Busy week of rescues for Bridgend RNLI lifeguards
RNLI lifeguards patrolling beaches across Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan have a busy week rescuing nine people in difficulty in the sea, as the RNLI is reminding the public to choose a lifeguarded beach when visiting the coast.
On Friday 27 June, lifeguards patrolling at Whitmore Bay spotted eight people struggling on the right-hand side of the beach outside the flags. The casualties were stuck in a rip current. Patrolling Lifeguards (LG) Tom Sheldon and Jai Gerrish attempted to get the group’s attention using a loudspeaker. Two of the swimmers began to return to shore, but the remaining six were being pulled further out to sea. LGs Tom and Jai entered the water on rescue boards. They reached the group and assisted them back to standing depth to ensure they were able to return to shore.
The following day, (Saturday 28 June), four people in an inflatable were caught in a rip current by the point at Whitmore Bay and were failing to return to shore. LG Macsen Stockton responded immediately on a rescue board and LG Petros Grigoriou launched the Rescue Water Craft (RWC). The lifeguards reached the casualties, helped them onto the RWC’s rescue sled and the rescue board and returned them to the beach.
On Sunday 29 June at Coney Bay, LG Oscar Mingay paddled out to a group of swimmers near Rhych Point to encourage them to return to the beach to avoid getting caught in the rip current. Instead of wading in, two of the swimmers waded across and ended up in amongst the rocks. LG Oscar put one of the casualties on his rescue board and towed the other away from the rocks. LG Amelie Clode made her way out on a rescue board to assist, transferring one of the casualties onto her board. Both casualties were safely returned to the beach, one required some first aid treatment for a minor injury.
On the same day (29 June) at Rest Bay, LG Fabien LeGuilcher spotted a swimmer who was trying to help a bodyboarder who was struggling in a rip current. Fabien went straight in on a rescue board to assist them and towed them safely back to shore.
RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Matt Childs said:
‘Last week’s busy period of rescues proves the importance of visiting a lifeguarded beach. Nearly all of the rescues involved rip currents. We position the flags in the safest areas of the beach and where possible use red flags and wind breaks to mark rip currents.
‘Rip currents are strong channels of water that can drag you out to sea. They can be spotted as a channel of churning or choppy water on the sea’s surface. They can also appear as an area of flat water in breaking waves.
‘We encourage everyone to swim and bodyboard between the red and yellow flags or surf, kayak and paddleboard between the black and white flags. If you see a red flag, do not enter the water as we have deemed that area as dangerous.
‘If you see anyone in difficulty at a lifeguarded beach, alert a lifeguard. Anywhere else along the coast, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’
If you do find yourself caught in a rip:
- Don’t try to swim against it or you’ll get exhausted.
- If you can stand, wade don’t swim.
- If you can, swim parallel to the shore until free of the rip and then head for shore.
- Always raise your hand and shout for help.
Media Contacts
For more information, please contact Anya Walton Communications Placement at [email protected] or call 07977468268. Alternatively, please contact the RNLI Press Office at [email protected] or call 01202336789.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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