Porthcawl’s RNLI lifeboat Rose of the Shires was tasked to rescue a person cut of by the tide below the cliffs near Nash Point on Tuesday evening (2 August). Whilst returning to station they were diverted to another person in a similar situation and location.
Swansea Coastguard received a 999 call from the first person when he realised that he was cut off and could not escape the beach due to the shear cliffs in that area.
Porthcawl Helmsman Paul Eastment said:
‘Due to the rocky beach and the swell we decided to launch our ‘X’ boat that we carry for such situations. Two volunteer crew members were able to row ashore and picked up the casualty. He was brought out through the surf and landed aboard the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat. In the meantime Atlantic College’s lifeboat had been launched and the causality was transferred to them to be put ashore at the College slipway. His condition was well and no medical assistance was required.
The volunteer RNLI crew were returning to Porthcawl when Swansea Coastguard received a further 999 call from a 54 year old male again cut off near Nash Point by one of the largest tides of the year.
RNLI volunteers Jess Canton and Etienne Cronje were able to recover the casualty and returned him to Porthcawl Lifeboat Station.
RNLI volunteer Simon Emms said:
‘This was one of the highest tides of the year and it had caught out both walkers. This stretch of coast line is particularly dangerous with shear cliffs preventing escape from such high tides’.
Lifeboat Operations Manager, Philip Missen MBE said:
‘Both rescues had had a positive outcome thanks to the prompt actions of the crew. The second casualty who was brought back to Porthcawl required medical treatment from paramedics for hyperthermia’.
