Penarth Lifeboat was called out on Friday 4th March, after receiving reports of two people stranded on Sully Island, cut off by the incoming tide. The two had been visiting the Island, but decided to leave when they realised that the tide was coming in. They tried to walk to the mainland along the causeway, but turned back when the water became waist deep. People on the shore at Swanbridge spotted them, and rang the Coastguard for help.
Helmed by Andy Vye-Parminter and crewed by Ben Payne and Geraint Williams, the smaller ILB left the lifeboat station at 4.30 pm and sped to the Island, where the two – a young couple from Newport – were helped into the lifeboat and taken to the safety of the mainland.
Deputy Launching Authority for Penarth RNLI, Laurie Pavlin warned of the dangers of the fast and unpredictable tides around the Island.
“Every year, Penarth Lifeboat is called out numerous times to Sully Island and every year we try to get the same message across – before visiting the Island, make sure you know the times of the tides and allow yourself plenty of time to get back from the Island onto the mainland. The tide can come in so fast and catch you unawares. In the past, people have drowned risking it and trying to make it back to mainland, so if you are on the Island, and the tide is coming in, don’t risk your lives in trying to rush back. Dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard”, he said.
