On Friday 2nd September 2011, Porthcawl Lifeboat was launched to rescue 4 teenagers cut off by the tide and stranded in total darkness at Southerndown Cliffs.
Porthcawl RNLI lifeboat ‘Rose of the Shires’ was launched at 21.06hrs to a report of 4 young girls cut off by the tide at the base Southerndown Cliffs. As the lifeboat approached Southerndown, due to the dark conditions, they were asked by Swansea Coastguard who co-ordinated the rescue, to stay on their mobile phones, and guide the lifeboat onto their position.
Once the girls were sighted, Crew Members Ross Purchase and James Kinsella rowed the lifeboats smaller “X” boat through the surf to rescue the girls, and bring them back to the safety of the lifeboat.
The girls were brought back to Porthcawl Lifeboat station safe and well at 2215hrs.
Lifeboat Helm, Simon Emms said “the crew worked well together in difficult conditions, rescuing the girls from the base of the cliff in total darkness and strong currents. The spring tides at the moment are some of the biggest of the year. It was easy for these girls to get cut off so quickly, as the tide was coming in very fast and caught them out.”
Station Local Operations Manager Phil Missen said “this is not the first time we have been called to rescue people from this area of Southerndown this year. When walking along the base of the cliffs, it is important that you know the tides, and you stay clear of the base of the cliffs when the tide is approaching high water. It was lucky they had a mobile phone and a signal to call the coastguard.”
