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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Corrie David

Coastguard warns of dangerous spring tides over heatwave weekend after multiple rescue call-outs

The RNLI has warned of "large spring tides" over the heatwave weekend amid multiple rescue call-outs.

The warning comes as parts of Wales and England enter day one of the four day amber alerted heatwave. According to the Met Office, the amber 'extreme heat' alert means "more people are likely to visit coastal areas, lakes, rivers and other beauty spots leading to an increased risk of water safety and fire-related incidents".

RNLI Porthcawl has recently attended incidents caused by increased visits to the beach paired with the spring tides. Explaining the issue in a social media post, the RNLI said: "Please check tide times daily and take care in areas you can get cut off by the tide.

Read more: Lifesaving club at Ogmore-by-Sea beach asks council for more time to find funds for rebuild

"The spring tides will cause the tidal currents around our area to be fast moving. Please visit a lifeguarded beach during patrol hours (10am-6pm) and swim between the red and yellow flags."

Their warning follows two rescues on Wednesday, August 10, alone, with one involving 31 people. Volunteers were first alerted just before 5pm to reports of multiple persons attempting to cross the Ogmore River from the Newton side as the tide was nearing high water.

The RNLI Porthcawl has alerted sea users to the spring tides which can be fast moving and are therefore dangerous (RNLI Porthcawl)

The charity's Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Rose of the Shires, along with the volunteer crew attended the scene and a spokesperson said the team "transferred 31 people across the river as a preventative safety measure to avoid the people crossing and getting swept out by the tide".

Casualties were met by the Llantwit Major Coastguard in Ogmore and given safety advice. Just over three hours later, at 8.30pm, just after finishing a training exercise, the volunteers were tasked again with another incident.

The spokesperson reported: "Following this incident the lifeboat went out on a planned training exercise. As it was being washed down following the exercise the crew were tasked again around 8.30pm.

"UK Coastguard had received a report of a person on a paddleboard off Newton Point with two people clinging to it. The Atlantic 85 lifeboat was swiftly on scene taking all three people onboard and dropping them in to the beach at Newton where they were met by the team from Porthcawl Coastguard."

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