The crew of Rhyl RNLI’s inshore lifeboat were kept busy on Wednesday (8 August) due to the good weather and an off-shore breeze.
Rhyl’s inshore lifeboat launched at 2.30pm to an inflatable that was getting blown out to sea off Kinmel Bay, Conwy. Once on scene the crew found an unoccupied dinghy and conducted a search of the area. As they were conducting this search Rhyl lifeboat station spotted another inflatable approximately a mile off Towyn Beach. The inshore lifeboat quickly arrived on scene to find an inflatable ring with no one on board. A search commenced down wind and it was concluded that all was safe and well and the inshore lifeboat was requested to return to the lifeboat station.
As the inshore lifeboat was returning, Rhyl Coastguards reported that a dinghy off Kinmel Bay was being blown out to sea with two occupants on board. As the inshore lifeboat arrived the dinghy was returning safely to shore and sea safety advice was given.
At this time another call had come in with concerns for two people in a dinghy off Towyn. The inshore lifeboat arrived on scene within minutes and gave sea safety advice and escorted the dinghy and their occupants safely ashore.
Once again, the inshore lifeboat then started to return to station as Holyhead Coastguard received a 999 call that a dinghy was getting blown out to sea off Towyn with one person on board and a family member had entered the water to help them back ashore. As the lifeboat arrived on scene the volunteer crew found a group of people helping the two people out the water. The crew had to make an emergency beaching to provide the casualty with first aid.
Moments later Rhyl Coastguard arrived on scene and requested the Coastgaurd Search and Rescue helicopter to evacuate the casualty to hospital. As the helicopter arrived on scene the RNLI volunteer crew assisted the helicopter crew to eveacuate the casualty. The crew then returned to station.
As the inshore lifeboat arrived at the station, Holyhead Coastguard requested the inshore lifeboat to launch to help Rhyl RNLI Lifeguards and Rhyl Coastguards to search for three missing children.
After a search of the area was completed and all children had been reunited with their parents the inshore lifeboat returned to station once more.
Rhyl RNLI Lifeboat Coxswain, Martin Jones, said: ‘After a busy few days for Rhyl RNLI volunteers, HM Coastguards and Rhyl RNLI lifeguards, the team continued to work non-stop today to ensure everyone enjoying the beach was safe.’
He continued: ‘If you are heading to the beach please remember to check tidal information, weather and ensure young children are aware of the dangers. If you are concerned for anyone’s safety whilst at the beach, please report this to a local lifeguard or phone 999 and ask for the Coastguards.
Blow-up toys and other inflatables are designed for pools, not the sea where they can easily be swept out. We advise that people never use them when orange windsock is flying, as this indicates offshore winds which will blow inflatables further out to sea.’
Media contacts:
For more information please contact Colin Jones, Rhyl RNLI Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07813 688654 or by email on colintjones@hotmail.co.uk or Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on 07748 265496 or 01745 585162 or by email on chris_cousens@rnli.org.uk.