Sunday 31 July proved to be a busy afternoon for Porthcawl’s RNLI lifeboat crews who managed to safely rescue three people who found themselves in imminent danger in two separate incidents along our coast.

RNLI volunteers were first called at 13.50 to rescue a kayaker who had capsized and was in the water and unable to climb back on board his kayak off Ogmore by Sea. Our Atlantic 85 lifeboat, ‘Rose of the Shires’ was on scene within 15 minutes of the initial page and rescued the kayaker who had been swept eastwards towards rocks at Ogmore Deeps, Ogmore by Sea. The lifeboat crew were directed to the casualty by members of the public pointing from the rocks above. Conditions were rough and the casualty had been swept close to rocks and was clinging to his kayak. He was too close to rocks for the lifeboat to get alongside so a crewmember swam to the casualty with a line and both were pulled back aboard the lifeboat along with his kayak. The casualty was taken back to Porthcawl and checked over as he had been in the water for over 20 minutes but no further medical assistance was required.

Coastguards paged Porthcawl crew for a second time at 17.19 to two persons who were cut off by the tide, east of our station, near Witches Point at Southerndown. Both our D Class, ‘Jean Ryall’ and Atlantic 85 were launched on service. The casualties were rescued by the D Class which veered back on its anchor line onto the rocky shore. Once safely on board the casualties were then transferred to the larger Atlantic 85 lifeboat and brought safely ashore at Porthcawl lifeboat station as it was considered unsafe to land the casualties at Southerndown due to the conditions on the slipway there.

Lifeboat Operations Manager at Porthcawl, Philip Missen said, ‘This afternoon proved yet again the value of our lifeboat service and the dedication of our crews. At this time of year we get people cut off by the tide along our coast, especially east of Porthcawl. I would like to re-emphasise the importance of checking tide times before venturing along some our beautiful coast. The kayaker fortunately had clung onto his craft which makes it easier for our crews to locate a casualty. With the RNLI’s, current safety campaign ‘Respect the Water’ I would like to say how important it is for all watercraft users to have some form of buoyancy aid and a means for calling for help should the need arise’.

Video from first callout:

Video from second callout: