The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is reminding the beach-going and sea-faring public to make safety a priority, if they are heading to the Welsh coast for the long weekend.
For many, the early May bank holiday provides the first chance of the year to head to the coast – whether for a trip on the water or a day at the beach – which means a busy time for the RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew members and lifeguards in Wales.
Last year, the May Day bank holiday weekend saw the RNLI’s lifeboats in Wales launch 18 times and rescue 24 people. RNLI lifeboats in Wales were busier than in Scotland, Ireland and the North of England. Over the long weekend, lifeboat crew volunteers at the RNLI’s 31 lifeboat stations around the Welsh coast will be ready to spring into action should the emergency call come in.
This year, RNLI lifeguards will be patrolling 39 UK beaches over the May Day bank holiday weekend, including the Welsh beaches of Aberavon, Langland, Caswell, Port Eynon and Whitesands. To try and prevent incidents from happening in the first place, and to help people have a safe and enjoyable trip to the coast, the RNLI is offering some essential beach and sea safety tips:
Beach Safety top tips:
- Always swim at a lifeguarded beach, between the red and yellow flags
- Never use inflatables in strong winds or rough seas
- Check times of high and low tide before you go – to avoid getting stranded
- If you get into trouble, stick your hand in the air and shout for help
- If you see someone else in trouble, tell a lifeguard. If you can’t see a lifeguard, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard
For more information, visit www.rnli.org.uk/beachsafety
RNLI Sea Safety tips for safe trips:
- A lifejacket is useless unless worn – make sure you fit yours correctly
- Get some training – know how to handle your boat and be confident in your own abilities
- Check your engine and carry spares
- Check the weather and tides before going afloat
- Carry a means of calling for help like a VHF radio or flares
- Tell others where you’re going and when you expect to be back
For more information, visit www.rnli.org.uk/seasafety RNLI Beach Safety Manager, Steve Wills, says:
‘For many people, this bank holiday is the first chance of the year for a trip to the beach, which is why lifeguard patrols begin on about a quarter of the RNLI lifeguard-patrolled beaches this weekend.
‘We suggest people always swim at a lifeguarded beach, between the red and yellow flags, which is the area most closely monitored by the lifeguards. Those who can’t make it to a lifeguarded beach can still take some basic steps to keep themselves safe – by finding out about their chosen beach before they visit, checking weather and tide times, and following the advice on safety signs at the beach entrance, they are reducing the risk to themselves and their families so they can remember their day out for the right reasons.’
RNLI Sea Safety Manager, Peter Chennell, says:
‘By taking a few minutes to follow some simple sea safety tips, anyone planning to go afloat this bank holiday will be able to enjoy a worry-free weekend on the water. Service your engine and carry spares, check the weather and tides and make sure you’ve got enough fuel. Accidents can happen to anyone, no matter how experienced, so make sure you have a means of calling for help and ensure your lifejacket and its gas bottle is in good condition.’
The RNLI offers a range of sea safety advice for anyone planning to go afloat, from tips on engine maintenance to everything you need to know about lifejackets. The charity’s sea safety booklet, Sea Safety: The Complete Guide is regularly updated and can be viewed at www.rnli.org.uk/complete_guide.
For boaters who want to talk to someone face to face, the RNLI offers free, personalised sea safety advice in the form of a SEA Check. For details of patrol dates on specific beaches, see: www.rnli.org.uk/rnli_near_you/find_a_beach/beachregion
