RNLI lifeboat rescues 72 people off Towyn and Pensarn

Jun 4 2008 by Andrew Davies, Rhyl Visitor

LIFEBOAT crew members who saved dozens of holidaymakers off the coast of Towyn and Pensarn have warned of the need for better signs before a tragedy occurs.

A total of 72 people needed assistance last Friday in a rescue operation which took more than two hours.

The initial call came at 3.22pm from Rhyl beach patrol lifeguards, who spotted people cut off by the tide. They informed Holyhead coastguard, who called out the local volunteer coastguard mobile team and the RNLI volunteer inshore lifeboat crew.

Changes in sand formation resulted in two-metre deep gutters forming between the banks, which caught many visitors unawares as the tide came in behind them.

Lifeboat operations manager Ray Coltman has called for more signs be placed on the shore to warn of the dangers they can face on local beaches.

“There should be bigger notices,” said Ray. “People have gone to the beach because of the nice weather and been caught out by the shifting sandbanks, causing islands.”

According to Ray the gutters are becoming more common this year than in previous years.

“This year’s been worse than last year for incidents. On Friday we needed to help people just 300 yards away from where we had just assisted people and there was another similar incident on Saturday. Luckily no-one was hurt,” he added.

In a statement the RNLI said: “There were initially 40 people cut off at Golden Sands in Towyn. With the teamwork of the coastguards and additional lifeboat crew on shore, together with the RNLI Inshore lifeboat crew, they were all safely returned to shore.

“An additional 20 people were also seen cut off at Pensarn and so the teams moved down the beach to assist.”

Two others were assisted as the inshore lifeboat was returning to Rhyl. Some people were oblivious to the incoming tide and a few were refusing to return until they realised the water would be past their waists if they did not go sooner.

“Luckily there were no casualties. Once again, the Rhyl sea rescue teams worked together to enable a successful outcome,” added the RNLI.