Danger to life warning for beaches

COASTGUARDS issued a new danger-to-life warning for Anglesey’s beaches – and have taken to task four “foolhardy” youngsters who ignored a warning on and could have paid with their lives.

On Tuesday evening last week the RNLI Moelfre inshore lifeboat was dispatched to Traeth Bychan, near Moelfre, amid reports of people in difficulty on a paddleboard and inflatable kayak. The volunteer crew recovered two teenage girls from the paddleboard and towed two “adolescent” males in the kayak back to the beach.

The youngsters ventured out despite widely publicised warnings to leave inflatables at home. Strong offshore winds of up to 70kmh were forecast and Moelfre Coastguard said most people observed the advice.

One of the teens told their rescuers “it wasn’t that windy when we went out”. Moelfre Coastguard said the quartet was given “some pretty stern safety advice”, adding: “It was foolhardy at best to even enter the water in our opinion. Tragedies happen: thankfully one was averted owing to the members of public who saw them in distress and called it in. Thank you.”

Moelfre RNLI was also less than impressed. A spokesperson said: “There were numerous posts on social media by the Coastguard and RNLI urging people not to go into the sea, especially along the coastline from Cemaes to Penmon, due to the powerful offshore wind and misty conditions. Unfortunately, none of the casualties wore lifejackets, and they also didn’t have means of communication or had they informed anybody ashore of their intentions.”

Moelfre Coastguard added: “We do not make these requests lightly. Once you leave the safety of the beach, the wind could carry you more than one mile offshore in minutes.”