Rescue Services

[SteveH]

LLANDUDNO Coastguard nursed a young man who had dislocated his knee on the old slipway in Llandudno last night (August 4).

The man was unable to move, and according to the Llandudno Coastguard would have waited a ?considerable? amount of time for an ambulance.

The Coastguard team tended to his injury before taking him to the Merrion Hotel across the road, where he awaited an ambulance.

A Llandudno Coastguard spokesperson said: ?We were called out on Thursday night to a casualty on the old lifeboat slipway in Llandudno.

?A young man had dislocated his knee, was unable to move and there was going to be a considerable wait for an ambulance.

?We were able to stabilise his knee and stretchered him off the slipway and across the road to the Merrion Hotel where he was looked after until an ambulance arrived.

?All Coastguard teams are trained to a high level of Casualty Care (First Aid) and we can implement a number of casualty extraction techniques.

?If you are involved in, or become aware of, an accident on the coast please call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.?

[Hugo]

10 vitally important safety tips if you're going paddleboarding
Five paddleboarders have died in Wales in the last 12 months and scores of others have needed to be rescued

There are 10 good tips there to help people enjoy their watersports but the instructor could have added some more obvious ones as it's all about safety and people taking taking responsibility for themselves.   



https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/things-you-really-need-know-24463407

[SteveH]

The potentially dangerous North Wales beaches where rescues could easily have ended in tragedy
As more and more people head to the beach over the summer, it is important to remember the potential dangers you can encounter

North Wales is home to some incredible beaches. There are over 110 of them scattered across the region with some naturally busier than others.

With the fine weather we have experienced lately, and further forecast, more people have been visiting the beach to bask in the sun and take a dip in the sea. But as we have seen just over the past month, the water can be a dangerous and unpredictable place where conditions can change quickly.

There has been numerous incidents over the past 30 days along the coast including rescues which narrowly avoided a different outcome. Tragically one involved a young paddleboarder who sadly lost her life. The incidents have all happened at different beaches across the region.

The RNLI is urging anyone visiting the coast this summer to make sure they keep themselves and their families safe by following beach safety advice:

Visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.
Check the weather forecast, tide times and read local hazard signage to understand local risks.
If you fall into the water unexpectedly, float to live. Fight your instinct to thrash around, lean back, extend your arms and legs, and float.
In a coastal emergency dial 999/112 and ask for the Coastguard.

Here are some of the incidents that have taken place on North Wales beaches over the past month:  cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/potentially-dangerous-north-wales-beaches-24684338

[Hugo]

I was reading that article and previous ones about the rescue services and sadly accidents can happen to the most experienced people as we have sadly found out over the years in the three Towns Area.
One obvious thing is that people shouldn't put their lives at risk by going into the sea after a drinking session and not  in the hours of darkness  too.

[SteveH]

I was told yesterday that the Coast Watch station at Westshore beach, is using a Drone paid for by a GOFUNDME page, to monitor the sands at low tide, and as it is fitted with a speaker system, it is capable of giving direct loud verbal warnings to those who have not heard the warning siren, or have ignored it.

[SteveH]

This Video shows how fast the tide at West Shore can come in 

LIFESAVERS underwent a training session following a number of callouts to the sandbanks along West Shore.

RNLI Conwy Lifeboat, together with members of Llandudno Coastguard, joined the session to learn about the changes to the shifting banks.

Video footage was captured to show how fast the tide can come in. https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/20620439.video-shows-fast-tide-west-shore-can-come/

On Facebook, Conwy Lifeboat posted: "One of our helms, Danny, captured this footage in real time to show just how fast the tide comes in, cutting off the banks from the shore and how quickly they become fully submerged."

On August 9, Conwy RNLI Lifeboat launched to help two people on the sandbanks near black rocks.

A spokesperson from Conwy RNLI said: "Our volunteer crew pagers were sounded just after 5.30pm and our inshore lifeboat, The May-Bob, was launched with three volunteer crew members.

"On arrival on scene it was established that the two people had waded back to the safety of the shoreline so the crew undertook a sweep of the shore and other sandbanks to ensure everyone?s safety."

On August 7, The May-Bob, was launched to assist "multiple sets of persons" on the sandbanks near West Shore. Just after 4pm, a second launch was conducted after two people and a dog got into difficulty.

The RNLI have shared the following safety advice:

Before you head out, make sure it is safe, check the tide tables.
While you are out, be aware of your surroundings and the tide's direction.
Check local tide times and be safe.
For tide times and information, visit the NCI Cabin on West Shore.

For further safety information, click here.........   https://rnli.org/safety/know-the-risks/tides

[SteveH]

THIS Sunday (August 14), the Llandudno Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) crew are to welcome back the public for the long-awaited return of the group?s open day.

At the same time, the fundraising team will be on hand to run a number of stalls and provide refreshments in the boathouse.

The day will finish with both lifeboats launching to display their capabilities on the water.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/20628261.llandudno-lifeboat-open-day-return-first-time-since-covid-19-pandemic/

[SteveH]

The Llandudno Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) OPEN DAY TODAY    see above



Paddleboard warning after 100 rescues in 48 hours on Welsh coast
The RNLI has issued a serious reminder to anyone headed out onto the water following a spate of incidents

With Wales set to see temperatures soaring above 30C this weekend, it's no surprise people are headed to one of the stunning beaches up and down the coast to cool off. But the rise in popularity of watersports has seen a rise in rescue calls.

As a result, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has been inundated with calls over the heatwave. With 100 rescues made within 48 hours on one stretch of the Welsh coast. Now the charity has issued a stark warning to everyone headed onto the water this weekend.

The RNLI's safety reminder has highlighted the importance of wearing a floatation device such as a lifejacket when heading out into the water, and also using a leash.

If you are going to head out paddleboarding, the RNLI recommends "checking the weather and tides before partaking in the activity and avoid paddling out in offshore winds." Other safety precautions include visiting lifeguard-patrolled beaches and taking a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch in case a means of contacting the Coastguard is needed.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/paddleboard-warning-after-100-rescues-24748929

[Hugo]

The RNLI can give all the safety advice possible but there will always be people who won't listen and think they know better.
I knew someone who on his foreign holidays would go out to sea on a Pedalo without a lifejacket.    When he was in the UK he would go out on a boat fishing on a lake again without a lifejacket
So what some people might say, well the fact is this person couldn't swim a stroke, not one stroke.   He's a lucky one but others have not been so lucky

[SteveH]

A MAN suffered a laceration to his calf while sailing in Conwy on Saturday (August 13) and was taken to hospital.

Llandudno Coastguard Rescue Team was tasked to assist Conwy Lifeboat, the Welsh Ambulance Service, and the Wales Air Ambulance in a multiagency operation.

The Conwy Lifeboat team went to the vessel and stabilised the casualty.

The team then brought him back to Conwy Lifeboat house, while the Coastguard Rescue Team cleared the area and assisted the Welsh Air Ambulance with their landing site.

The man was then taken to hospital to receive treatment.

While this was happening, another vessel almost got into trouble as it came into mooring on the ebbing tide.

Llandudno Coastguard added: ?Conwy bridge has very fast flowing water and is especially treacherous at mid tides.

?Fortunately, the boat managed to steer itself away from another vessel and on the third attempt they made it on to their mooring.

?A close call that caused much excitement to onlookers.

?Working together on multiagency operations, it is always a privilege to see the professionalism and care given to casualties from all involved.?

[Hugo]

Girl, 10, spotted on 'boogie board' 150m off Anglesey beach without life jacket
Witnesses had started heading out to help - but her parents were 'oblivious to it all
Thank goodness nothing happened to that child, but others may not be so lucky.   Despite a good result for the RNLI and also for those irresponsible parents the consequences of what could have happened to the child by the parents neglect should have been made quite clear and not in the manner described by a witness
'anglesey22
1 HR AGO
No stern safety advice was given, I was there, made a joke out of it. Not the behaviour I expect from RNLI crew members!




https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/girl-10-spotted-boogie-board-24808626

[Hugo]

Crowds cheer as paddleboarder being blown out to sea rescued near Llandudno Pier
RNLI volunteers pulled her from the water and brought her back to safety


https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/crowds-cheer-paddleboarder-being-blown-24814392

[SteveH]

Conwy_lifeboat
📟 Conwy RNLI Lifeboat was requested to launch this afternoon?.

Our volunteer crew pagers were sounded at 15:15 and our inshore lifeboat, The May-Bob, was launched with three volunteer crew members onboard to assist a stricken 26-foot yacht on the sandbanks near the Scabs with an outgoing tide. Holyhead Coastguard tasked Conwy Lifeboat to the vessel given there were children aboard.

On arrival on scene it was established that all 4 adults and 2 young children were unharmed, all well and all wearing life jackets which was great to see, however, the yacht was unfortunately firmly aground on the sandbank just outside the channel.

On consultation with the yacht crew and Lifeboat, 2 adults and 2 children were taken to the safety of the shore whereby they could return home. The other 2 adults remain with the yacht and await high tide where they can then make their return to Conwy Harbour.

Once the casualties were taken safely ashore, the lifeboat crew of Steve, Sue & Morgan returned to the boathouse where the boat was recovered, washed down, refuelled and made ready for the next request.

As always a big shout out to all our volunteer crew members, including the crew who assisted with the prompt launch and recovery of The May-Bob.

If you?re planning to visit the coast, please stay safe, take care in the sun and #RespectTheWater.

Check the tide times, keep an eye on your surroundings, know your route to safety and have a means of calling if you need help. The Skipper did the right thing on this occasion with contacting the Coastguard via VHF.

Check out the RNLI?s safety advice for :
https://rnli.org/safety/know-the-risks/tides

If you see anything that gives you any cause for concern please call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

[SteveH]

VOLUNTEERS from Conwy?s Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) crew rescued eight people cut off from the shore by an incoming tide at the northern end of West Shore on Saturday (August 27).

Crew pagers were sounded at 8.19pm and its inshore lifeboat, the May-Bob, was launched, with three volunteer members onboard to assist the people cut off.

With night fall setting in, the lifeboat arrived on the scene, where six children and two adults were in the water, struggling to make it ashore from a sandbank at West Shore which had been fully cut off by the tide.

Of these people, two were members of the public who had seen the initial group of six struggling to get ashore, so went to assist them.

When the lifeboat arrived, the adults were chest-deep in water with the six casualties.

All eight casualties were taken safely ashore by the lifeboat crew of Steve, and brothers Tom and Matt, where they were met by the Llandudno Coastguard team and police.

The lifeboat then returned to the boathouse where the boat was recovered, washed down, refuelled and made ready for its next request.

A Conwy Lifeboat spokesperson added: ?A big thanks to these two adults for their efforts in helping save this group of six.?

[Hugo]

Thank goodness that nothing worse happened to the six people who became stranded on the sandbank but there should be some type of recommendation for the two people who tried to rescue them,     They put their own lives on the line when the six, for whatever reason became stranded on the sandbank.
The West Shore has had many other incidents in the past but we don't want another fatality.
If my memory serves me right, my cousin Norman prevented some visitors from a similar thing when he noticed that they were walking further out on the sandbanks when he could see the sea coming in behind them.
Well done the two rescuers and for Norman too.    Locals know best