Two brothers have lucky escape caught in a Rip Tide

Two brothers, aged 11 and 14, on holiday from Lymm, Cheshire, went swimming, despite being advised against it by their mother, because of the heavy seas, were caught in the rip tide at Manorbier Beach, during the afternoon of 10^th August, and taken towards the rocks. Their father saw their dilemma and dashed into the sea to rescue them. After a struggle he managed to retrieve both boys from the sea and bring them back to the beach.  All three were exhausted and very cold. Fortunately a Coastguard from Tenby was on the Beach and saw the drama unfold. He was quickly joined by the Tenby and Manorbier Coastguard Rescue Team and medical attention was given to the father, who had grazed knees from the rocks, and warmed the two boys up. The boys were given advice regarding the sea's rip tides and ignoring their mother's warnings.  No further medical attention required and all were taken, by the Coastguard, back to their holiday cottage to warm up. 

Rip Tides and their effects

How to spot a rip current:

It is not easy to spot a rip current but there are a few common signs to look for:-

Discoloured brown water, caused by sand being stirred up from the seabed.

Foam on the sea's surface.
A break in the surf line where the waves are not so big.

Debris floating out to sea.

A rippled patch of sea, when the water around is generally calm.

Getting out of Trouble:

The most important thing is to STAY CALM and TRY NOT TO PANIC

Keep hold of your body board, surfboard or inflatable and DON'T fight the rip current

Signal to someone on the beach that you need help by raising your hand and shouting for help.

Try and swim PARALLEL to the beach until you are out of the current. Then swim towards the shore.

NEVER try and swim directly towards the shore against the current.

It you can STAND UP wade instead of swimming.

REMEMBER - try not to panic if you encounter a rip current, it will only make you more tired and reduce your ability to reach safety.

Sick Crew Member Airlifted Off Tanker
During the afternoon of 9^th August, when a Philippine crew member of the ‘Shannon Fisher' tanker became ill with severe abdominal pains a call was put thought to the Coastguard Operations Room at Milford Haven.  After seeking advice from a Doctor it was decided to airlift the man, from the ship moored in St. Brides Bay, to hospital.  The Rescue Helicopter from Chivenor was scrambled and soon winched the man off the vessel. Unfortunately, due to the adverse weather conditions around Withybush Hospital, the Helicopter was unable to land and other venues were considered with the Helicopter being diverted to the North Devon District Hospital in Barnstable where the crewman is now receiving treatment.

‘May Day' Call to Coastguard from stricken yacht ‘Cadenza'
A ‘May Day' call, via the VHF Radio Channel 16, to Milford Haven Coastguard at 10.15am on 10^th August soon had help racing to the yacht ‘Cadenza', with 3 people on board, dismasted off New Quay during a race.  The New Quay RNLI All Weather Lifeboat was launched and New Quay Coastguards tasked.  Fortunately the race was well supervised and a safety vessel was quickly alongside the vessel.  The yacht was taken in tow back to New Quay Harbour watched over by the Lifeboat.

Windsurfer Dislocates Shoulder - Broad Haven South
The Heavy Seas during the morning of 10^th August caused a 37yr old man from the Wirral, Cheshire, to be injured when his board, caught by a wave, smashed into his shoulder whilst he was windsurfing off Board Haven South.  The St. Govans Coastguard Rescue Team was alerted and soon on the scene.  The Casualties injuries were stabilised by the Coastguard before paramedics and the Air Ambulance arrived.  The man was airlifted to Withybush Hospital with a suspected dislocated shoulder.

Windsurfer Rescued Broad Haven North
Another Windsurfer became a casualty of the heavy seas, this time off Broad Haven North beach at approx. 12.30pm 10^th August, when his equipment dismasted and he was dashed onto rocks at the north of the beach.  Little Haven RNLI Inshore Lifeboat was launched to his aid and Broad Haven Coastguard Rescue Team waited on the beach.  The Lifeboat rescued the surfer, a 32 year old man on holiday from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, and took him back to shore where he was checked over by the Coastguard Team with no medical aid required.

Another Windsurfer in Difficulties - Tenby
Tenby Lifeguards alerted The Coastguard to a windsurfer in difficulties off South Beach, Tenby at approx 3pm on 10^th August. The Tenby RNLI Inshore Lifeboat was launched and Tenby Coastguard Rescue Team attended the beach.  The Windsurfer was located by the Lifeboat Crew, some way out, but due to the heavy surf they were unable to take him and his surfing equipment back to the shore.  The Lifeguards took to their rescue boards and met the Lifeboat the open water side of the surf. They then escorted the windsurfer, a male from Cardiff, back to the beach where words of advice were given.