Llandudno RNLI responds to five call-outs in 24 hours
Llandudno RNLI responds to five call-outs in 24 hours
Lifeboats News Release
Llandudno RNLI volunteers responded to five separate call-outs in just 24 hours as fresh south easterly winds created challenging conditions for paddle boarders and prompted multiple reports of people in difficulty.
Between Friday 26 and Saturday 27 June, both the station's inshore and all-weather lifeboats were launched to a series of incidents, the majority involving paddle boarders being affected by the strengthening offshore wind.
The first call-out came on Friday afternoon after reports of a paddle boarder struggling to return to shore off Penrhyn Bay. The volunteer crew launched immediately, but on arrival found the casualty had already made it safely ashore before the lifeboat was stood down.
Shortly after returning to the station, the inshore lifeboat was launched again following reports of two people in the water and a paddle board drifting offshore. By the time the crew reached Rhos-on-Sea they were encountering short, steep seas and Force 5 south easterly winds. The casualties were found safely ashore, while the crew also checked on the welfare of a pleasure fishing vessel at anchor before recovering a runaway paddle board and a separate inflatable being blown along the coastline.
Later that day, the inshore lifeboat launched for a third time after three paddle boarders were reported being blown offshore from Rhos-on-Sea. One casualty was located close to the harbour wall and was able to continue safely back to the beach unaided. Guided by HM Coastguard and Llandudno Coastguard Rescue Team, the crew located the remaining two paddle boarders more than a mile offshore, drifting steadily towards the Gwynt y Môr wind farm. Unable to paddle back against the strong wind, both casualties were brought aboard the lifeboat along with their boards before being safely returned to shore, where they were met by Coastguard officers.
The station's all-weather lifeboat launched early on Saturday morning following reports of a red kayak drifting around 10 miles north east of Llandudno. The crew carried out an extensive expanding square search for more than an hour before being stood down by HM Coastguard after nothing was found.
Just hours later, the all-weather lifeboat launched again to reports of two people on a paddle board off Rhos-on-Sea. Given the fresh south easterly wind and increasing sea state, the larger lifeboat was tasked while the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter searched further offshore. Following shoreline searches, the lifeboat was stood down after reports confirmed the paddle boarders had made their own way safely ashore.
Gavin Preston, Helm and ALB Navigator who was on the majority of the call-outs said: ‘The warm weather encouraged lots of people onto the water, but the fresh south easterly wind quickly made conditions much more challenging than they appeared from the shore. Paddle boards and other inflatables can be carried offshore surprisingly quickly, leaving people unable to paddle back against the wind. We'd always encourage anyone heading onto the water to check the weather forecast, consider the wind direction, wear a suitable buoyancy aid and carry a means of calling for help. If you see anyone in difficulty at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’
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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