Latest news with #MikeCinderby
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Climate
- Wales Online
Emergency services descend on Welsh beach as witness hears screams for help
Emergency services descend on Welsh beach as witness hears screams for help One eyewitness said she heard screams for help coming from people in the water off Ogmore on Saturday night There was a heavy emergency services presence at Ogmore beach on Saturday night (Image: Mark Lewis ) A heavy emergency services presence descended on a beach in south Wales on Saturday evening. Eyewitnesses reported South Wales Police officers, the Welsh Ambulance Service, the coastguard and the RNLI were all in attendance at Ogmore beach in the Vale of Glamorgan. Footage seen by WalesOnline showed a helicopter circling the coast at Ogmore above emergency vehicles at the beach which had flashing lights on. Eyewitnesses reported people had been washed out to sea sparking the heavy emergency services presence. One eyewitness said she heard someone who she believed had come off a vehicle in the sea shouting for help. It later emerged that two swimmers had got into difficulty in the water and are now ashore. Lifeboats have since headed back to station having also had to attend two paddleboarders in similar difficulty off Newton. It comes two days after Porthcawl's RNLI volunteer crew had to launch lifeboats to five separate incidents during the afternoon and evening of Thursday, July 10. Four of the launches were to people using stand up paddleboards (SUP's). Launch authority Mike Cinderby said: "Nearly all of the launches on Thursday were to paddleboarders. At least three of those launches were to paddleboarders who were struggling in strong tidal currents and were taken to safety onboard our lifeboats. Article continues below "If you're visiting the coast check conditions and tide times before you go using a trusted online source, such as the Met Office. The Bristol Channel has the second largest tidal range in the world. "We are currently experiencing spring tides which increases the speed the tide comes in and causes fast moving tidal currents. This puts the public at great risk of being cut off or getting into difficulty in fast moving tidal currents." On Saturday, which at 33.1C in places was the hottest day in Wales on record since July 2022, the RNLI issued advice to people getting in the water. Article continues below They reminded swimmers of the "float to live" technique which saves lives and which involves the following: Tilt your head back with your ears submerged Relax, breathe normally, and use gentle movements with your hands and legs to stay afloat Don't worry if your legs sink, we all float differently Once you've calmed your breathing and are stable, call for help or swim to safety if you can If you see someone else in trouble in the water, remember: Call, Tell, Throw Call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard Tell them to float on their back Throw them something that floats, such as a life ring or inflatable
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Climate
- Wales Online
Multiple paddleboarders rescued at Welsh location as urgent warning issued
Multiple paddleboarders rescued at Welsh location as urgent warning issued There is concern the hot weather this weekend could see many more caught out by strong tidal conditions off the Welsh coast "With the hot weather forecast for this weekend, we are encouraging the public to choose a lifeguarded beach and to swim between the red and yellow flags." (Image: Moelfre RNLI ) As another weekend of hot weather arrives in the UK, Porthcawl RNLI has issued an urgent safety warning to those planning to visit the coast this weekend. The safety warning comes after Porthcawl RNLI's volunteer crew launched the charity's lifeboats to five separate incidents during the afternoon and evening of Thursday (10 July). Four of the launches were to people using stand up paddleboards (SUP's). Launch authority Mike Cinderby said: "Nearly all of the launches on Thursday were to paddleboarders. At least three of those launches were to paddleboarders who were struggling in strong tidal currents and were taken to safety onboard our lifeboats. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here "If you're visiting the coast check conditions and tide times before you go using a trusted online source, such as the Met Office. The Bristol Channel has the second largest tidal range in the world. "We are currently experiencing spring tides which increases the speed the tide comes in and causes fast moving tidal currents. This puts the public at great risk of being cut off or getting into difficulty in fast moving tidal currents." The first request on Thursday was to assist a paddleboarder struggling in the tidal current off Witches Point, Southerndown. The charity's lifeboat was launched and sped towards Southerndown locating the paddleboarder off Whitmore Stairs. Article continues below The paddleboarder was taken onboard the lifeboat and dropped back to the beach at Dunraven Bay, Southerndown. Later, at 6.10pm, a 999 call came in from a fisherman on the breakwater. Three teenagers were on one paddleboard and were struggling against the tidal current and having difficulty staying on the board. The lifeboat was launched and the teenagers taken onboard and dropped to safety at the beach at Sandy Bay (Coney Beach). Immediately after the lifeboat was recovered and being washed down, a further request came in to help paddleboarders between Irongate Point and Hutchwns Point following a report they might be waving for assistance. When the Atlantic 85 lifeboat crew arrived on scene they found the pair and their dog on two paddleboards safe and well and the lifeboat stood by until the pair were safely around Hutchwns Point. The final call from HM Coastguard came in at 8.44pm following concerns for a person in the water at Sandy Bay. The charity's D Class Hugo Missen was launched on service to find the person was safely out of the water. The D Class then received a further call out to paddleboarders reported to be in difficulty at Rest Bay. Once on scene the crew liaised with two pairs of paddleboarders who initially said they required no assistance. However, whilst the D Class was on scene one of the paddleboarders fell off and got caught in the rip current at the point in Rest Bay. The paddleboarder was recovered onto the lifeboat and dropped ashore at the beach. Porthcawl Coastguard Team and Port Talbot Coastguard Team were also tasked to these incidents. Mike, who only recently qualified as a launch authority at Porthcawl along with Bleddyn Bridge, said: "This was an incredibly busy few hours for our volunteer crew and it quickly found me putting the training to use as a launch authority. "With the hot weather forecast for this weekend, we are encouraging the public to choose a lifeguarded beach and to swim between the red and yellow flags. Lifeguards position the flags in the safest area of the beach. "If you are going paddleboarding please take care of strong tidal currents this weekend. Wear a buoyancy aid and take a phone in a waterproof pouch. Avoid offshore winds. "If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live. Tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then call for help or swim to safety if you can. "If you find yourself or see anyone else in difficulty, please call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard." Article continues below
